Two popular choices are joined by a third nominee playing in just their second World Cup
Experts pick World Cup dark horse
While England enter the World Cup has undisputed favourites, there are few sides lurking in the shadow of the world's No.1 ODI side ready to cause an upset.
Ten teams will compete in the 2019 edition of the 50-over showpiece event and while England and the Virat Kohli-lead India appear to be the standout nations, there is always a 'dark horse' side among the pack.
Perennial over-achievers New Zealand – the 2015 World Cup runners-up – and two-time champions West Indies are the popular choices for the World Cup's dark horse team from the four ODI legends cricket.com.au spoke to last week.
But there could be another team poised to cause plenty of headaches for their more experienced, more celebrated rivals.
Andrew Symonds
"West Indies. I just think they've got a quiet little bit of confidence going on there at the moment. They’ve played pretty well of recent times. And Chris Gayle will be itching to potentially go out on a winning note. The grounds will suit the way he plays. They're my dark horse."
Mark Waugh
"Probably New Zealand. They were in the last World Cup final. They're probably going to rely on a few players like Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Trent Boult but they always seem to play well, New Zealand. They field well, they're disciplined, they run between wickets well, they're always well coached, always in for the fight. I think they could make the semis. They're probably the dark horse. The West Indies probably have the batting but not the bowling to be a threat. South Africa, I suppose, they're going to rely on Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and maybe Kagiso Rabada. They'll be a threat but probably New Zealand will be a roughie."
Allan Border
"I look at the West Indies side and I think that's a very dangerous cricket team. If they get some momentum going they could be very, very dangerous. I know as the game gets shorter they get more dangerous, but I think the 50-over game suits them playing in England. I think their cricket is well-suited to that. Watch out for the West Indies."
Brett Lee
"The dark horse would be New Zealand, but Afghanistan will play some good cricket. They probably don't have the batting that they would like but their bowling unit is outstanding."
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