Preview

Australia remains the favourites to take out the World Cup in the West Indies but after the events of recent weeks there will be plenty of punters looking around for someone else to back. The Australian bowling attack, particularly without Brett Lee, has been cruelly exposed by both England the Black Caps and it would be a brave investor who would take the odds on offer. To be realistic there are only 8 teams that can win the World Cup but a victory by any one of those sides would not surprise greatly.

Australia: Have faltered badly in the last week or two and are now looking decidedly vulnerable. Andrew Symonds remains under and injury cloud and Brett Lee is doubtful which means the bowling attack is looking fragile. Australia will score plenty of runs but can they defend those totals? On the evidence of recent times the answer is "no".

South Africa; Now the number one side in the world and looking good after recent home wins over India and Pakistan. Look to have a well balanced side with key batsmen Smith and Kallis and a good bowling attack lead by the veteran Shaun Pollock. Big chance.

New Zealand: Bounced back from a poor Commonwealth Bank series in Australia by walloping the Aussies 3-nil in the Chappell-Hadlee series. If Jacob Oram regains full fitness the balance of the side will be perfect the key bowlers are Bond and Vettori while the Black Caps will need consistent runs from Fleming, Taylor and Vincent. A real chance.

India: Have potentially the best batting line-up of all the nations with the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Sehwag all capable of tearing attacks apart. The slower wickets in the West Indies will suit top class spinner Anil Kumble while relative newcomer Sreesanth will lead a useful new ball attack. They can beat anyone on their day.

Pakistan: Always dangerous in a tournament such as this as they showed in 1992. Historically, play poorly in the early rounds, but show vast improvement when it really matters. A powerful batting line-up lead by Inzamam and Afridi and a well balanced attack with the controversial Shoaib Aktar back in the side. An upset wouldn't surprise.

England: Even though they beat Australia in the Commonwealth Bank series it's hard to see England being consistently good enough to win the Cup. Much will depend on the form of Andrew Flintoff and the ability of Captain Michael Vaughan to recover from his numerous injuries. Paul Collingwood was in wonderful form in the finals series in Australia and he'll need to carry that on in the West Indies. If England continues the form they showed against Australia, they might make the semis.

Sri Lanka: A number of good judges believe they can cause more than a few upsets and maybe go all the way in this tournament. Two top class bowlers in Malinga and Muralitharan can cause havoc while the batting is powerful with the likes of Sangakkara and Jayasuriya. Don't overlook them.

West Indies: The host nation has always got a chance because they have the fanatical crowd support and a good knowledge of conditions. Much will depend on the batting of Brian Lara but he's not a one man band. All rounders like Gayle and Bravo will need to play their part but overall they should not be written off.

It wouldn't be possible to make a case for the rest, but teams like Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Kenya are capable of upsetting some of the big guns in pool matches.