The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup starts tonight with host England taking on perennial chokers South Africa at The Oval. The twelfth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup will see a new format, with the top ten ODI teams in the world set to battle it out for one of the most coveted trophies in sport. Hosts England go into the tournament as red hot favourites, having soared to the top of the ICC rankings in one-day cricket since the last World Cup four years ago. Defending champions Australia will undoubtedly have a say in the competition, however, as will India, led by the best player of his generation, Virat Kohli. South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan complete the line-up and will all be hoping to cause an upset over the next six weeks. For the first time in history, the World Cup will see all ten teams play each other in a mammoth round-robin system, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals. The last two World Cups have both been won by the host nation and England are expected to challenge for the trophy after enjoying a sensational run in one-day cricket. But Eoin Morgan’s side are set to face fierce competition as they bid to win the 50-over World Cup for the first time. Here, The Nightwatchman runs through all ten teams competing in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, predicting the fate of the sides involved and picking out the players expected to thrive.

Afghanistan

Squad: Gulbadin Naib (capt), Aftab Alam, Asghar Afghan, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shinwari What's been said? ‘It’s an outstanding story. The way they have forced a cricket team that can be feared is incredible. They have some wonderful bowlers. Do not take them lightly.’ - Former England captain Nasser Hussain ‘They will be great to watch. They ain’t gonna win it but there’s every chance they might turn someone over.’ - Ex England batsman David "Bumble" Lloyd. Predicted top run-scorer: Hazratullah Zazai Predicted top wicket-taker: Rashid Khan Can they win it? As former England cricketer and coach David Lloyd suggested, Afghanistan will not be lifting the trophy at Lord’s on July 14. But they are a side capable of producing one or two shocks during the tournament. The only way is up for cricket in Afghanistan. Verdict: Group stage (9th)

Australia

Squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa What's been said? ‘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' - Former Australian Wicket-Keeper Adam Gilchrist Predicted top run-scorer: David Warner Predicted top wicket-taker: Pat Cummins Can they win it? Their current ranking of 5th in the world was too generous 4 months ago before the twin tours of India and the UAE. Now it allows the Australian's to fly under the radar despite some incredible results in the past 15 or so One Day Internationals and warm ups. The rapid reversal of form coincides with the addition of world class players like Smith and Warner, forming a formidable batting squad that has the ability to go all the way. Australia's only short fall is in the bowling depth and options, particularly with the glaring ommision of Josh Hazlewood. For Australia to win, Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc will need to have sensational campaigns. Redemption could await the Australian's on the balcony at Lord's, a long way from the lowest ebb at Newlands in 2018. Verdict: Final

Bangladesh

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Abu Jayed, Liton Das (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal What's been said? ‘They have always produced some very talented cricketers. There's been some great upsets though and on their day they can beat anyone.’ - Former England captain Nasser Hussain Predicted top run-scorer: Tamim Iqbal Predicted top wicket-taker: Mustafizur Rahman Can they win it? It would be a huge surprise to see Bangladesh reach the knockout stages, however, they did enjoy a surprising run to the Semi-Finals of the Champions Trophy just two years ago, and boast the number one ranked all-rounder in ODI cricket, Shakib Al Hasan. A side that no longer should be taken lightly. Verdict: Group stage (7th)

England

Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

What's been said?

'They are favourites for a reason. They’ve got every department covered. They have a winning formula and a winning mentality in one-day cricket. There’s clear clarity in roles now and because of that England are undoubtedly favourites. They are an all-round great side.’ - Ashes winning quick Steve Harmison Predicted top run-scorer: Johnny Bairstow Predicted top wicket-taker: Jofra Archer Can they win it? Yes. Yep. 100%. Of course. Though, I bloody hope not. England are perfectly poised to lift their first ever World Cup trophy in 6 weeks time. The strength of their batting is equally matched with their quicks, and spinner Adil Rashid is a quality limited overs bowler. Many have predicted England to win this years World Cup, and whilst I'll stop short of predicting a winner, I believe England and Australia will face off in the Final. Johnny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root and Jos Butler give fans hope of an incredible 500 runs being passed in an innings. Verdict: Final

India

Squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav

What's been said?

‘They have every base covered. The best batsman in the world; good finishers; quality fast bowlers and quality spinners.’ - Former England captain Nasser Hussain. Predicted top run-scorer: Rohit Sharma Predicted top wicket-taker: Jasprit Bumrah Can they win it? Three words that tell you they can. Kohli, Burmah, Dhoni. There is no doubt a side which boasts the number 1 Batsman (Virat Kohli) and number 1 Bowler (Jasprit Bumrah) could win this years World Cup. Scarily, I predict Rohit Sharma, not Dhoni or Kohli to lead India's batting. A man with 3 of the 8 ODI double centuries to his name, the small UK grounds may not be big enough to hold back Rohit. If India can overcome the foreign conditions, I see them in the finals. If they struggle, I expect the West Indies to sneak in. Verdict: Semi Finals (4th)

New Zealand

Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor What's been said? 'New Zealand are in a sweet spot. No-one's talking about us too much, we're forever the underdogs and that suits us quite well.' - Former New Zealand all rounder James Franklin. 'New Zealand have been the dark horses in the past but they are not that anymore. They’re very strong. They are very well led and I would absolutely have them down as semi-finalists and potential winners.’ - Former England wicket-keeper batsman Matt Prior Predicted top run-scorer: Martin Guptil Predicted top wicket-taker: Trent Boult Can they win it? They may not win it, but they're going to make you think they can. A seriously good side, swing twins Trent Boult and Tim Southee, alongside out and out quick Lockie Ferguson will push the best batting sides in the world, whilst Williamson leads a batting unit that boasts Martin Guptil, who scored a World Cup double century in 2015, the ever reliable Ross Taylor who averages a tick under 50, the ever maturing Tom Latham, and NZ's answer to Jos Butler in Colin Munro. The only shortfall I see for the kiwis is their lack of a quality spinner, which could prove pivotal in crunch games. Six time semi-finalists, runners up in 2015, New Zealand will feature strongly in this World Cup. Verdict: Semi Final (3rd)

Pakistan

Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz

What's been said? 'I think Pakistan arrive as underdogs and they need to start well. If they lose a couple of early games, then it will be an uphill task for them after that. The positive for Pakistan is that they have started scoring big totals. They have showed they are capable of scoring 300 plus and we saw that in their series against England. The batsman have got used to the surfaces very quickly and have piled on the runs. They are all in good form, especially Babar Azam and Haris Sohail," - Former Pakistan quick Waqar Younis Predicted top run-scorer: Babar Azam Predicted top wicket-taker: Mohamma Amir Can they win it? A four-nil drubbing at the hands of England earlier in May did little to give hope that Pakistand would emerge as a challenger, but they still remain a handy cricket side. Unfortunately, Pakistan's best ODI cricket fell away in the last 9 months as the World Cup approached. A relatively young side who will be better for the run. Tipping Pakistan to miss out in 2019, but be a serious contender in 2023. Verdict: Group stage (8th)

South Africa

Squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen

What's been said?

'Steyn will be key to South Africa - he's only one man, but has the experience and can do brilliant things with the ball.' - Former England Captain Alec Stewart 'South Africa will make the finals, simply because no-one is expecting them to do anything.' - Vic Marks, 1983 World Cup player with England. Predicted top run-scorer: Quinton De Kock Predicted top wicket-taker: Kasigo Rabada Can they win it? The stars would have to align for South Africa to finally shake the choking tag they have acquired over the years. The shock retirement of AB De Villiers renders the countries batting hopes onto wicket-keeper Quinton De Kock, whilst the oldest player in the tournament, Imran Tahir, has been burdened with the spinning duties. With Dale Steyn's withdrawal from the opening match against England, there seem to be too many question marks around this side and their ability to push into the finals. Verdict: Group stage (6th)

Sri Lanka

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay

What's been said?

‘The challenge is going to be with the bat. Can they get enough runs on the board? Their strengths is with the spin bowling so they will need the pitches to be dry. There is talent there and they can turn anyone over. But they will not go into this World Cup with any real confidence.’ - Former England cricketer and Sky Sports presenter Ian Ward.

Predicted top run-scorer: Thisara Perera Predicted top wicket-taker: Suranga Lakmal Can they win it? No. Nope. Nah. 0%. Sri Lanka are the anti-England at this years World Cup. Red hot favourites, to not make the finals, the wheels have fallen off Sri Lankan cricket in recent times. A squad lacking world class batsman, the Sri Lankans will need not only dry, turning decks, but a few washouts against the more fancied sides, some luck, winning tosses, and dubious umpiring decisions falling in their favour to proceed past the group stage. In fact, I predict Sri Lanka to be the great disappointment in this years edition of the World Cup, a long way removed from the glory days of Sri Lankan cricket. Verdict: Group stage (10th)

West Indies

Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas

What's been said? 'West Indies will win the World Cup. With Chris Gayle retiring, the Universe Boss will want to leave with a bang. I just have a strong feeling. It’s been 40 years since we last won the World Cup. I’m a biblical man and the number 40 comes up a lot in the bible… I think it’s our time to rise up.’ - Ex-West Indies captain Darren Sammy.

Predicted top run-scorer: Shai Hope Predicted top wicket-taker: Kemar Roach Can they win it? It would be quite the story. Under the new format, both the West Indies and Afghanistan secured their spots in this World Cup through qualification in 2018, but despite this the West Indies stock has rose in recent times. A strong showing against England in February gave hope to a potential Windies resurgence. After amassing 421 against New Zealand in the final warm up match, a few more sides will be wary of the West Indies. Scarily, the 421 was without Chris Gayle scoring a big score. If Gayle and Shai Hope fire in the moments that matter, there is a chance they could slide into the semi finals. The 34th match of the World Cup will see India take on the West Indies which could determine who scrapes into the Semi Finals. Verdict: Group stage (5th)