Experts predict World Cup winner

The 12th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup starts tomorrow, with tournament hosts and red-hot favourites England taking on Faf du Plessis' South Africa in London.

The six-week tournament features the top 10 ODI teams, 48 matches and one final at Lord's on July 14 where the 2019 World Cup winner will be crowned.

So who will win? A collection of cricket's greatest names have made their predictions.

Allan Border

"I know it's patriotic but I think Australia has a real chance," Border told cricket.com.au. "We've turned the corner, I think the environment is good, Steve Smith and David Warner are back in the side to strengthen our batting. I like the look of the bowling attack with Mitchell Starc back. I think Australia can do it."

Brett Lee

"Australia," Lee told cricket.com.au. "I think because they've won five World Cups they actually know how to win World Cups. And they've got a pretty good team. 

Mark Waugh

"I'd love to say Australia and I think Australia will play well but I just think England just look so strong," Waugh told cricket.com.au. "Their batting has got so much depth and they play a fearless brand of cricket. I think the home ground will be an advantage for them, I can't see how that will be a negative, they'll know the grounds well. I think ti's going to be a batsman's World Cup so there's going to be a lot of runs and England, at the moment, they've got the strongest batting line-up with Buttler, Bairstow, Roy, Root, Morgan, Stokes and they bat down to No.10. They're deserved favourites and I think Australia will make the semis along with India. They're three locks for the semis. Once you make the semis anything is possible.

Andrew Symonds

"I think (Australia) definitely can," Symonds told cricket.com.au. "Obviously England are going to be very strong. South Africa will be competitive. But the World Cup is a different animal. It's a different type of pressure, especially at the start. If you have a good start, win your first game, then your second game and third game you can then get into your work. But if you're under pressure early on, you lose your first couple of games, it's a different atmosphere, a different type of heat."

Steve Waugh

"England to me are probably the favourites – their form has been outstanding over the last couple of years," Waugh told the ICC. "They are playing at home. Sometimes, that creates more pressure, but they’ve got a really good coach in Trevor Bayliss to keep the players grounded. So I think England would be favourites, and probably Australia and India on that second line of favouritism."

Glenn McGrath

"The two standouts to me were India and England, with fingers crossed, Australia doing well," McGrath told ESPNcricinfo. "South Africa are always a good team, West Indies are bit of a dark horse – they can play really well or badly, probably similar to Pakistan. So it's going to be an interesting World Cup. England and India are tough to beat, but with Australia's form, I think we'll see them make the final."

Adam Gilchrist

"Australia are going to win the World Cup because of the momentum they built up at the back end of the last Australian summer, what they did in India and the UAE, having Smith and Warner back in – they’re starting to work out what their best team is, the balance, and (they have) an amazing amount of experience," Gilchrist told Fox Sports. "They’ve got a few World Cup winners in that team already. I think England will get to the final. They are the form team of world one-day cricket, playing at home, and I expect they will stay true to their attacking brand of cricket. That momentum of support in their home country will see them progress deep into the tournament through to the final."

Michael Vaughan

"England are the number one team in the world and formidable at home," Vaughan told the BBC. "I can't see how they won't make the semis. Australia have just got something going, Steve Smith and David Warner are back and you can argue that they have the best bowling attack. India have the know-how. Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world and Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler in the world. Pakistan are Pakistan – they will find a way of making the top four. It concerns me that England play in one way. They will get tested, but I'm sticking with them as my winners."

Waqar Younis

"The format means anyone who hits form can reach the last four. England are favourites, Australia are getting their confidence back and India are the most likely of the teams from the subcontinent," Waqar told the BBC. "After that, my heart wants to say Pakistan, but New Zealand are most likely to complete the last four. I can't pick a winner, but it seems most probable that England will be up there."

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE