England worthy favourites for 2019 World Cup but dark horses Australia can be threat, says Jason Gillespie

England are worthy favourites for the 2019 World Cup but defending champions Australia will be a threat, Jason Gillespie has said.

Eoin Morgans England have won nine of their last ten bilateral one-day international series – most recently drawing to West Indies – to climb to the top of the ICC rankings.

The team have been dominant on home soil, winning 30 of their 42 home ODIs since the last World Cup, and will hope for more success this summer.

Legendary fast bowler Gillespie says England deserve their tag as pre-tournament favourites but has warned that his fellow countrymen cannot be written off.

Every other team in this World Cup knows that Australia know how to win World Cups, the former bowler told ESPNcricinfo.

That is something that will be in every other countrys mind, that Australia – while they might not be seen as favourites – they know how to win World Cups.

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So for me, I think Australia are very much a dark horse and I wouldnt write them off, thats for sure.

Australia endured a difficult period on and off the pitch following last years ball-tampering scandal, which resulted in year-long bans for ex-captain Steve Smith and opener David Warner.

But the team have won eight successive ODIs to draw with India, another team being tipped to enjoy a productive World Cup, and whitewash Pakistan.

Theyll take a lot of confidence going into this World Cup, Sussex coach Gillespie added. Of course I want to see Australia do well.

Theyve copped a lot of stick in recent times but in the last couple of series in India and Pakistan, theyve shown some real promise and theyve played some really, really good cricket.

On hosts England, Gillespie said: Theres been a lot of talk of England being favourites and playing at home and I certainly think they deserve that tag.