CWC19 is going to be weather dependent, says Pietersen

The flagship tournament will start on 30 May and end on 14 July and Pietersen believes that the prevailing hot and dry conditions will likely be favourable to the sub-continent teams.

"It is going to be weather dependent," Pietersen said at a promotional event in Mumbai last week.

"Last year was one of the most beautiful English summers since 1976. It was the hottest summer recorded in the UK with hardly any rain at all, conditions were extremely dry. If the conditions are like they were last summer, then I think the subcontinent teams are going to have a massive role to play in the World Cup."

The top-order batsman, who has represented England in 136 one-day internationals, also added that if the conditions happen to differ from the previous summer, it will be England who will gain from the green wickets.

"If they are not and it’s horrible and green and seaming, then it’s going to play in England’s favour and the team that copes best in those circumstances."

Both India and England are the favourites going into the tournament but the balance is tilted in the latter's favour owing to a spate of exceptional performances in the last few months. England have won 30 out of their last 43 ODIs and are currently the No.1 ranked ODI team on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings.

India, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, too have only gone from strength to strength and will be on the hunt for their third title at the marquee ODI event. India's opening batsman and Kohli's deputy in limited-overs format, Rohit Sharma admitted that the English weather could affect India's squad selection.

"I think we are pretty much settled. There are a few spots which everyone know about," Rohit said. "It all depends on what the captain, coach and selectors think about the combination. Whether we need to go with the extra seamer, extra middle order batsman, extra opening batsman or an extra spinner."

India are going to name their 15-member World Cup squad on Monday, 15 April and according to Rohit whether India goes for an extra spinner or seamer will be based on the dryness of the conditions.

"The conditions in England will matter the most. The last time when we were there the conditions were really dry. I don’t know if it will be the same again. If it is like that then we need to get an extra spinner, as simple as that. If it’s not then we should probably get an extra seamer," he added.

All participating teams are supposed to submit their 15-member squads by April 23, while injury replacements can be named until May 23. So far, New Zealand are the only team to have announced their squad for the World Cup.