Australia has always been a tournament team and the reigning champions are set to be boosted by the return of star batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner following their lengthy ball-tampering bans. They will be bidding for a sixth title.
India, with Virat Kohli at the helm, are a major force in all formats while Pakistan defied expectations to win the 2017 Champions Trophy in England. New Zealand will be keen to go one better after losing in the 2015 final, while South Africa will arrive hoping to end years of World Cup heartbreak.
West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 champions, will have an extra incentive this year after Sunday’s announcement that star batsman Chris Gayle will retire from ODIs following this year’s World Cup.
