Yet without a ball being bowled in anger, there has already been controversy. Pakistan were stripped of its 14 matches following omnipresent saftey concerns. This follows the shooting of six policeman who were escorting the Sri Lankan team bus as they were travelling to Lahore to play the Pakistanis in a test match in March 2009.
World Cup Venues
Although Pakistan will rightly feel aggrieved at having missed out on cricket's showpiece tournament, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will feel overjoyed and relieved that India for once does not hold a monopoly on staging big tournament games. Indeed Bangladesh has the honour of the holding the opening ceremony on 18th February 2011.
Tournament Format
To avoid the drawn out, long, completed affairs that have plagued previous World Cups, the ICC have come out with a more simpler, straighforward format. The group line ups were drawn in October 2009 just hours after Australia's convincing six wicket win over rivals New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final.
Group A
Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya
Group B
India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands
Each team plays six matches each, with the top four from each group qualifying for the quarter final stage. The list of venues and the schedule of matches will be announced in November.
Tournament Favourites
Most observers cannot see past Australia, once fielding brilliance, hostile bowling and explosive, efficient batting. India's superstars, on their home turf, for all their style, flair and excitement, will need to produce and at least get to the semis, which they have failed to do in the last three big ICC tournaments. Otherwise, we could see more effegies being burnt.
The mercurial Pakistanis, well who knows which team will turn up. After their 20/20 win, and ICT semi final, confidence will be higher and they will use the snub of not hosting games to their advantage, employing a dogs of war mentality. Like Pakistan, England are consistent in their inconsistency, though wins of South Africa and Sri Lanka will make them a dangerous floater.
Will South Africa get over their chokers tag? The lack of a steady, accurate fast bowler and quality spin bowler may suggest otherwise. Sri Lanka have the dangerous Mendis, the best young slow mystery bowler in the game, and Muralitharan's final bow may be a romantic one. New Zealand will also thrive on the fact that they tend to unnoticed, until they reach the semis in understated fashion as they normally do.
Associate Members
Although the title is called associate members, this article will consider the West Indies in that bracket, as at the time of writing the strike is still unresolved, and even with their full quota of players, they will struggle. Remember Ireland's path to the Super Six stage in 2007? The likes of Bangladesh, West Indies and possibly even England better watch out to ensure they do not become the shock story this time around.
Netherlands, if they can keep the likes of Ten Doeschate, Nannes and Zuiderent, are also dangerous, with English cricket fans still having nightmares of their defeat to Holland in the 20/20 group stages. Kenya, Zimbabwe and Canada, who do not play the full members enough times, are less likely to cause shocks, though all three will have fond memories of World Cup giant killing. Kenya beat the mighty West Indies in 1996, Zimbabwe the Australians in 1983 where a young Duncan Fletcher helped the African side to a famous win, and Canada, who beat the Bangladesh team in 2003.
World Cup Winners
It is highly likely that Australia's consistency will cruise their way to another win, their fourth World Cup win in a row. Yet India, with it's slow turning pitches and feverish support will have a big say, as will Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa. England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are dangerous dark horses, yet do not have the star quality to trouble the top teams, whilst the Windies will need a huge dollop of luck, commitment and heart to progress beyond the quarters.
 |
