Teams and Analysis

This man holds the key to be unlocked - the key to the WC. Aussies go in as favourites just that the last 5 matches have made the others feel that they have decended to earth from a different altar. But then, 5 matches over the last five years can be weighed down cant it?They definetly go in
as favourites.

Key Players: Ponting, Gilchrist, Tait


Ah, wish this could be ours on March 28 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Lets see if Men in Blue can do the 1983 remagic. The stage looks the same. In '83, WI had won 2 consecutive titles and India smashed them hard to lift the WC. At present '07, Aussies have 2 consecutive titles coming in and may be Dravid and co, can repeat history!

Key Players: Yuvraj Singh,Sachin, Anil Kumble





KP and Freddie hold the key to England chances along with their "fit" Micheal Vaughan. Micheal will be the most crucial player for the them and without Trescothik, his pressure just increases manifold. KP could be the most promising player the game has seen but then time has come for him to get the team to winning ways along with Freddie. With all this firepower, I still feel that England dont have the penetrating power to go into the semi's. All said and done, it would be interesting to track their progress.

Key Players: Kevin Peterson, Flintoff, Panesar

SA have a miniscule chance of getting the WC and end their wretched run in the games biggest event. Shaun Pollock and Jack kallis are the trump cards for them. Their batting line up is one of the longest and have virtually no tail-end batsmen. The bowling is their weak link and lots rest with Ntini and Pollock.

Key Players: Smith, Ntini,Kallis

And here are the underdogs.

Key Players: Shane Bond, Oram, Fleming

Lara and Co, could just be the first team to win the WC being hosts. Its going to be really tough tho!

Key Players: Lara, Chanderpaul, Taylor


Pakistan - Oh the mighty Inzi has a lot of weight to carry along with him. The situation is no different with Pakistani's come into the tourney carrying a tag of "uncertainity" with them. But then, these guys can really give the opponents a run for their money! Inzi and co, can be underestimated only at the peril of their opponents. They are in the group along with West Indies and its going to be a nice opening match too. May be the tempo for the entire tourney will be set-up by the high intensity clash.

Key Players: Inzi, Youhana, kaneria


Sri Lanka have the best chance of taking their World Cup tally to two in this edition. They have a balanced side with Sangakarra adding depth with his excellent batting skills and prowess behind the wicket. He is the man who will be holding the key to SL's chance along with Jayasuriya and Malinga. Vaas and Murali will definetly be the linchpins for the team and Murali should certainly spin cob-webs around the batsmen.It is going to be an even challenge between bat and ball with Murali,Malinga and Vass operating.

Key Players: Sangakarra, Jayasuriya, Malinga

The World Cup sets the momentum for the teams to carry on once the event is done and for sure, determines the next super-power in the game. Aussies may be coming down to the level of the other teams but then they have been a cut above all the other teams for the last 8 years. As
Ian Chappel says "its sad that Aussies can be beaten only when they come to the level of the other teams while no team has risen to the standard of the Aussies". How true!!They have truly given the teams a run for their money for a long period of time. May be, their time might run out with this competition but then lets salute one of the greatest teams to have played this brilliant sport. They ll for sure go down as the team that would be on the same altar as the WI of the 70's and 80's.