ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Adam Gilchrist picks his four semi-finalists

Former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist has predicted semi-finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India just around the corner, predictions have started pouring in. Former Australian wicket-keeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has picked his top four teams for the upcoming big tournament. The mega event is scheduled to be played in India across 10 venues hosting the league round and knockout games. For the first time in history, India will be hosting cricket’s most prestigious battle among 10 nations without any co-host. Australian legend Adam Gilchrist has made a surprise inclusion in his top 4 picks. 

Gilchrist's Top 4 in the World Cup 2023

Three-time World Cup champion Adam Gilchrist has picked Australia, England, Pakistan, and hosts India as his preference to finish in the top 4 round and play in the semi-finals. Gilchrist told PTI, “I think India and Pakistan could feature, Australia and England are the other two teams.” India, England, and Australia played in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals where England went on to lift cricket’s most coveted trophy for the first time in history. Australia won the tournament in 2015 as hosts, while in 2011 India became first ever country to win World Cup at home.

Australia had a setback against South Africa as they lost the recently concluded five-match ODI series by 2-3 and now will be heading to India to play a three-match ODI series. Adam Gilchrist thinks that the recent loss will be a learning for the Australian team before the World Cup 2023. Gilchrist said, “Australia will learn a lot from their efforts in South Africa when they come to India. They have got three games before the World Cup against India. So, they will have a bit more of a full-strength squad there. That might tell us a bit about where they are at.” 

Adam Gilchrist also gave his opinion on Australia trying to experiment with David Warner and bat him at number 4. Gilchrist felt that it would be a bad idea and he should only bat at the top order as he showed that against South Africa and dominated the African bowling lineup with his aggressive approach. "He (Warner) looked really good in South Africa for the most part of what he did. I think he has got to bat at the top, there has been some sort of discussions that be bats down the middle order, but i think he has got to open. He showed in South Africa a couple of times that he is aggressive and dominant at the top of the order as he has ever been." added Gilchrist.

Australia also suffered a setback before their tour to India. Travis Head is set to miss out on the first half of the tournament due to a fracture in his left hand. Australia will be commencing their 3-match series against India in Mohali on 22nd September.