Ian Bell names England, Pakistan & India as World Cup favourites

Bell, who is England’s second-highest run-scorer at the Men’s World Cup, has labelled his countrymen as favourites for next year’s tournament, but expects them to be pushed closely by a few other sides – namely Pakistan and India.

The 36-year-old was England’s top-scorer at the 2015 World Cup, a highlight of an otherwise disappointing campaign, as they failed to make it past the group stage. However, since then, England have overhauled their white-ball cricket, and are comfortably the No. 1 ranked ODI side.

Bell believes they have earned the tag of "favourites" for the World Cup, but is expecting an exciting tournament with a number of potential contenders for the title.

“I think people are saying they [England] are the favourites and rightly so,” Bell told *Sky Sports. "*The 50-over cricket they have played over the last three years has been outstanding.

“It's going to be an exciting tournament but, as we saw in the ICC Champions Trophy last year, Pakistan are a very dangerous side with lots and lots of match-winners and exciting players in their team. India, as they always are at World Cups, are going to be very strong.

“I wouldn't be surprised if Australia are there or thereabouts if they get their bowling attack together and fully fit and get a squad together from all the players they can pick from. I think they will still be very dangerous when it comes around to the World Cup.

“I think it will be a very interesting tournament but, for me at the minute, I would be looking at either England, Pakistan or India to go all the way.”

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