Former star cricketer Andrew Flintoff picked his semi-finalists and predicted England to break their World Cup jinx and claim the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 title on home soil. With the global showpiece beginning on May 30, cricket experts and fans from all over the world have already predicted their winners and Flintoff, who won the 2005 Ashes with England, too put forward his list of predictions. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Winner Prediction: Harbhajan Singh Picks Four Semifinalists for This Year's CWC Trophy.

The 41-year-old had his say on all the 10 teams and chose Australia, India and England as three of the four semi-finalists. Flintoff also picked Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies as teams with an outside chance to reach the last-four stage. But left out 2015 World Cup finalist New Zealand. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Predictions: New Zealand and West Indies Are Dark Horses, Feel Former Stars.

Surprisingly, the former English all-rounder left out heavyweights South Africa. Flintoff mentioned that South Africa were a good team but won’t be able to hold their nerves at crunch situations in the tournament. It was very much akin to the “chokers” label slammed on South Africa for their failure to win the ICC tournament despite playing some of the best players across different editions.

Watch a Short Video Of Andrew Flintoff’s Prediction:

Flintoff also left out New Zealand from his semi-finals prediction. The Black Caps under the captaincy of Brendon McCullum had reached the World Cup final in 2015. They lost to co-hosts Australia in the summit clash. In a short video posted on the Cricket World Cup social media channel, Flintoff shakes his head in disappointment at the mention of New Zealand. “Not giving them much hope, to be honest,” said the cricket presenter before admitting that New Zealand has a good crop of players.

Among the smaller teams, Flintoff picked Afghanistan to cause a big upset at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. “Will beat a big team,” said the former cricketer talking of the young Afghan side. But Bangladesh, who beat England to reach the quarter-final stage in the last edition, “will struggle in English conditions” added Flintoff. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Winner Prediction: Herschelle Gibbs Picks India and England As Favourites to Lift This Year's CWC Trophy.

He also ruled out any chances of an early exit for Sri Lanka, saying that the team from Asia always has a chance to overturn things. Sri Lanka last won the World Cup in 1996 and have reached the finals in consecutive tournaments in 2007 and 2015.

For Pakistan, Flintoff said that the 1992 winners always do well in ICC tournaments. Pakistan beat India to lift the Champions Trophy in 2017. They have since struggled in limited-overs cricket and are currently in an 11-game losing run. But the Englishman refused to rule out a surprise semi-final or final appearance for Pakistan. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Predictions: Pakistan Can Pull Off Upset Like 1992, Says Waqar Younis.

The gung-ho team West Indies also have an outside chance said Flintoff. A neutral’s favourite and most fans’ second choice, West Indies play the entertainment brand of cricket. The team filled with powerful hitters and all-rounders have the potential to reach the semis and go on to claim their first World Cup since 1979.

Lastly, Flintoff predicted India and England – two of the favourites – to reach the World Cup finals where India might be knocked out by his nation. England will World Cup 2019, he concluded with eyes full of hope.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 10:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).