“The Cup that Counts” to the Rainbow Nation.

First round of matches of all the nations competing in the Cricket world cup 2011 are over with all the major nations scoring upright win over their opposition, which was expected. The format of the 10^th edition of the world cup is such that we can safely predict the 7 of 8 quarter-finalist even before the tournament got underway. There is a tossup between West Indies and Bangladesh for the final spot in the quarter. So the real competition would start once the quarter final starts.

Let’s analyse the strength of each nations to predict the finalist and the winner of this edition of the world cup.

West Indies/Bangladesh : It is tough to predict the team which would make it to the quarter final, but if the passion and intensity on the field is to be considered then to me Bangladesh should make it comfortably to the last eight. Bangladesh has been improving their cricket steadily and has quality players like shakib and tamin iqbal who for their cricketing talent can make it any top international side, but as a team they would still struggle to beat any top teams.

New Zealand: Men in black have had a poor run of late in the sub continent with their batsman not been able to score big nor are their bowlers been able bowl out the opposition cheap. If they have to progress to semi final they require lots of luck and their star batsmen like Brendon Macullum, Rose taylor,Jesse ryder to score big while chasing. Chasing would be their better option.

Sri Lanka: The champions of 1996, have a strong team who can fancy themselves to lift the trophy this time too. Their batting is full of stars that on any given day can make opposition bowler sweat a lot. This team has in Angelo Mathews and Perera two quality all rounders. The only weakness I see is their fast bowling at death overs, if they don’t manage to take early wickets and put pressure on the opposition batsmen then they would bleed runs. So if they need to succeed they need their slow bowlers to pick wickets at regular intervals.

Pakistan:The team that most of the opposition would like to avoid till the final would be Pakistan as they are the most unpredictable team playing in this competition. Finals of 1992 and 1999 are the best examples showing us the highs and lows they can reach. Akmals,Guls,Afridis,razzaqs can win matches on their own. According to me their temperament and how well they play as team would decide whether they could lift the trophy and provide a soothing touch to a nation which has been rattled by repeated controversies.

England:The team which holds the record for appearing the most number of time in the finals of the world cup. I have always felt that they don’t exert themselves very much and are the most lazy bunch of guys who are just satisfied to make the finals, but the current team by winning the T-20 world cup in caribbeans they have shown to whole world that they have the killer instinct and cannot be taken lightly. This team coached by Andy flower is a balanced team and have players for all kind of situation that would spring up during this world cup.

Australia:Men in gold are unbeaten in  the world cups  for more than a decade and would like to maintain that record for as long as possible, but the current team is on a downward slide for some time.The team have come to this competition with bowlers who could slinge balls at scorching speed, these fellows could bowl out team cheap or could leak runs in plenty . Batting is more stable if the likes of Watsons,haddins,pointings and Clarke score heavily.Only weakness I see is their lower middle order which once belonged to players like bevan and mike hussey who were renowned finishers of the game.

India: Sehwag,sachin,Gambhir,Virat,Yuvraj,Dhoni,Pathan…Wow  is there any other team who could boast of such a batting line? No would be the answer, if one fails then another would strike which is guaranteed. Chasing should be their option if they have to win this world cup for sachin. The bowling attack  is heavily dependent on a fragile zaheer and harbhajan singh,as the rest of the bowlers struggle to pick up wickets at crucial juncture.

South Africa: Chockers, this tag have stayed with this team for a very long time and it is high time they prove to the world that they have the mental strength to win at big tournament. Their batting strength is probably as strong as India with the top 4 averaging more than 50 for more than 2 years and their fast bowling pair is the best bowling pair in the world who could take wickets whenever required, they have come into this tournament with variety in their slow bowling department, a leg spinner, a left arm spinner and an off break bowler.

Looking at the strength and weakness of all the teams I see the men from the sporting nation of South Africa as the clear favourite to lift this trophy. They need to win this trophy for the betterment of this game and for the South African people who  have cheered all kinds of sports and have shown to the world that they are the best sport loving people.