The four finalists in the history of the World Cup prepare for the semi-final confrontation

At first glance, the top four teams are as expected: India, Australia, England and New Zealand qualifying for the tournament, ranking the top four international teams in the world. a day in the world.

But as England testifies, the way to qualify for the knockout round was not easy for all the parties that remain in contention to be crowned champions. Australia will now continue defending its 2015 crown against England at Edgbaston, while India will face New Zealand at Old Trafford in another showdown in the semi-final .

And as the race to reach the tournament draw at Lord's on July 14 draws to a close, here's the record of the four-team World Cup still competing for silverware.

INDIA

The label of being one of the favorites can weigh heavily on some – but India showed no sign of burden, while it was at the top of the standings after the round robin phase. The men in blue have won seven of their nine games to finish at the top, losing to tournament hosts, with England being the only spot on their record after a draw against New Zealand.

A seventh semifinal of the World Cup is the reward of their regularity and they will have all the chances on their side with the skippers Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Just go back to 2015 for the last time, where India ranked in the last four, before falling to the penultimate hurdle this year, after being eliminated by the Australian. , future champion.

They also left the tournament at the same stadium in 1987 and 1996 – losing respectively to England and Sri Lanka – between their World Cup victories in 1983 and 2011. However, of the three finals that they have disputed, India only once. They also hope the omens are good, since they also won their first World Cup on English soil.

AUSTRALIA

Although arrived in England as defending champions, Aaron Finch and his men found themselves in the unknown position of not being considered first for the title. Much of the hype prior to the tournament being focused on the hosts, England and India, Australia was still considered by many as a team still in transition as it passed. under the radar.

But if the history of the World Cup has taught us anything is that Australia is the winning series and was the first team to secure its qualification for the knockout stages in the 2019 edition The five-time world champion will play the semifinals for the eighth time and will do so safely, knowing that when they have reached the last four places in the past, they have never missed the final .

With five wins in the World Cup, including a hat-trick of victories between 1999 and 2007, they undoubtedly have the best pedigree of the remaining teams in the competition. Finch now has the opportunity to join the illustrious names of Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in leading Australia to the glory of the World Cup. Do not bet against that.

ENGLAND

Entering the tournament as host and first ODI World Team, England had to face great expectations to win its first-ever Men's World Cup. The first goal of reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1992 has been achieved, even though there have been some heartbreaking moments.

Eoin Morgan's side won their last two games against India and New Zealand to qualify for the last four places, bringing their group stage wins to six out of nine victories. And although 27 years have passed since the last time they were playing in a semi-final World Cup, England has a lot of experience to reach this stage since the start of the competition .

England has qualified for the semifinals of the first five editions of the tournament, but his challenge has not been denied in 1975 and 1983 – both times he was there. host. But when they reached the finals – in 1979, 1987, and 1992 -, England finished finalist in the West Indies, Australia, and Pakistan. This time, the hosts hope to have their fourth chance.

NEW ZEALAND

The round-robin stage could almost be split into two sections for New Zealand, who eventually qualified for the playoffs with five wins in nine games. But that only tells part of the story. The BlackCaps were undefeated after their opening six matches as their only point was dropped against India at Trent Bridge.

Three defeats in their last three games then briefly left their place in the semifinals in doubt, the goal being to save Kane Williamson's club with Pakistan blowing their neck. Like England, New Zealand has never won the World Cup, although it has certainly had its share of missed opportunities after playing seven semi-finals.

However, of these seven appearances in the last four, the BlackCaps have achieved the success of the competition only once – in 2015, when they were beaten by Australia, their co-organizer. New Zealand will feel that the time has come to get rid of this "almost masculine" label once and for all, after the disappointment brought on by the defeat of four years ago.