World Cup Preview!
Group AEngland
Summary - Lots of all rounders in the English squad for the tournament, and overall a very settled side. Their batting is a weakness, but it's very deep.
Key Player - Ian Stamp - The young all rounder has averaged almost 20 with both bat and ball this year in ODIs, and that's not such a bad record.
Prediction - Semi-final. (1st in Group A)
Ireland
Summary - The associates are always badly treated by the game, and I doubt Ireland here will be an exception.
Key Player - George Dockrell - Their best bowler as of 2012 will probably still be their best bowler as of 2015. Good player.
Prediction - 6th in Group A.
Kenya
Summary - See Ireland.
Key Player - No bloody clue.
Prediction - 7th in Group A.
New Zealand
Summary - Always the dark horses of international competitions, New Zealand have been brilliant against us recently, but may struggle against other, less mercurial countries.
Key Player - Ross Taylor - 30 years old now, but he's averaging 61 in ODI cricket this year. I need say no more.
Prediction - Quarter-final. (3rd in Group A)
South Africa
Summary - As usual, a phenomenal side, but after being rubbish against the West Indies on their home turf a couple of months ago.
Key Player - Vernon Philander - The batting is strong, but this year, Vernon's bowling economy is 3.74, and his batting average is up above 23.
Prediction - Quarter-final. (4th in Group A)
Sri Lanka
Summary - Always strong at home, I don't think Sri Lanka will really have the punch to compete in the seam friendly conditions of Oceania.
Key Player - Maybe not a key, but 19 year old left arm FM bowler Janith Wijesena has made a big impact in his first part-season in international cricket.
Prediction - 5th in Group A.
West Indies
Summary - What can I say? We're excellent, aren't we?
Key Player - I can't just pick one, but for me, Darren B, Pollard and Alford are the guys who can take games away from the opposition.
Prediction - Runners up. (2nd in Group A)
Group B
Australia
Summary - Not in the best for as far as this year is concerned, Australia are my dark horses to do well. They keep tinkering, but at home, they can only be strong.
Key Player - Peter Siddle is a phenomenal player. 31 wickets in ODIs at 15.13 so far, and 3.86 as an economy. Be afraid.
Prediction - Semi-final. (2nd in Group B)
Bangladesh
Summary - As usual, Bangladesh will start as underdogs for most matches, but will rival Zimbabwe for the 4th qualifying spot.
Key Player - Shakib Al Hasan - Their top run scorer and qicket taker in ODI cricket this year. Need I say more?
Prediction - 5th in Group B.
India
Summary - The defending champions, always imperious in limited overs cricket, with their depth of all-round talent. My tip for the title again.
Key Player - Mandeep Singh - The 23 year old has only played 15 ODIs in total, but his average of 46 shows you he's a force to be reckoned with. Add in a strike rate of well over 90, and watch him decimate opposition.
Prediction - Winners. (1st in Group B)
Netherlands
Summary - See Ireland and Kenya. One of the better associates though.
Key Player - Ryan ten Doeschate - He might be old now, but with Tom Cooper having transferred back to Australia, Ryan has the team's batting and bowling on his shoulders.
Prediction - 6th in Group B.
Pakistan
Summary - Cricket's great mercurial side usually pull themselves together for big tournaments, but for me the bowling depth is just not there in their squad.
Key Player - Due to their bowling frailties, the key must be their one firing bowler this year, 20 year old right arm seamer Ghafir Zaman.
Prediction - Quarter-final. (3rd in Group B)
UAE
Summary - I know nothing about the bloomin' UAE.
Key Player - I can't name a single bloomin' one.
Prediction - 7th in Group B.
Zimbabwe
Summary - Their batting looks incredibly fragile, but their bowling looks like it could be almost the stand out in this group!
Key Player - Wayne de Villiers is probably the pick of that bowling bunch, and could lead his team to a few shocks.
Prediction - Quarter-final. (4th in Group B)
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