2011 World Cup form guide

At the moment the semi finalists look like being India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and either England or Australia.

The upcoming ODIs are a bit more important than usual as they'll give as a guide as to how the teams are travelling.

Bangladesh- A dark horse for the semis, imo. As an opposition team, having to play Bangladesh on a dry pitch at Dhaka against their army of spinners in front of 30,000 Bangladeshi fans is a pretty daunting prospect. My odds- 18-1

As usual, I suspect Sri Lanka will be there or there abouts. They have a tried and tested formula on their home pitches and they'll be very hard to beat. My odds- 7-1

India's biggest obstacle will be the pressure that they will be under. There is huge expectation that this will be their World Cup, and it will be interesting to see how they deal with that. My odds- 5-1

Australia have remained pretty good in ODIs despite their test decline. They may find it tough against the Sub Continental teams on their home pitches, though. My odds- 10-1

England have improved a lot as a limited overs side in the last year. A definite chance to make the semis. I never thought i'd say it, but they're probably the best fielding side in the world at the moment. My odds- 9-1

South Africa could go either way. They'll either go close to the final, or completely come unstuck, you reckon. As usual, they look an excellent side on paper. My odds- 8-1

Pakistan- Who knows. I think they'll be competitive. Especially if they get on a roll and avoid controversy. Like South Africa, they'll either get close to the final, or they'll crash out. My odds- 15-1

West Indies- They'll rely a lot on Chris Gayle to make big totals. I'm not sure their bowling really suits the Sub Continent. Unlikely to make the semis. My odds- 20-1

New Zealand- They're in awful form as a team at the moment and were whitewashed by Bangladesh a few months ago. However, they always seem to go better than expected in World Cups so a spot in the semis is not out of the question. My odds- 20-1

Windies will be good to make the semis.

It's the closest World Cup since 1999. Any of the top nine teams could make the semis if they play to their potential.

Who are the minnows by the way?

I'm guessing Zimbabwe, Ireland, and....... Afghanistan? Kenya? Netherlands? Namibia?

Australia are close to minnow....Trev - those are very unattractive odds on Oz

Australia have remained pretty good in ODIs despite their test decline. They may find it tough against the Sub Continental teams on their home pitches, though. My odds- 10-1

They are 13 and 7 vs SL India and Pakistan in Asia over the last 5 years

Henry wrote:
Bangladesh My odds- 18-1
Sri Lanka My odds- 7-1
India's My odds- 5-1
Australia My odds- 10-1
England My odds- 9-1
South Africa My odds- 8-1
Pakistan My odds- 15-1
West Indies My odds- 20-1
New ZealandMy odds- 20-1

For comparison purposes the TAB sportsbet odds at the moment:
INDIA 3-1
AUSTRALIA 4-1
ENGLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, SRI LANKA 5-1
PAKISTAN 7-1
NEW ZEALAND, WEST INDIES 14-1
BANGLADESH 66-1
ZIMBABWE 150-1
IRELAND 250-1
CANADA, HOLLAND, KENYA - 1000-1

I'd rather be betting with Henry than the TAB.

India Aus final is likely for mine

The format is very poor though so even an average team can make it to the final.

SAf are favourites, and I'd back them to make the final. And then choke.

Which would be hilarious. And expected.

I know it's not the contest it once was, but I'd really like Pakistan to surprise everyone and bring it to and Pak/Ind final. Sure, neither are the most popular team in world cricket at the moment (although, who is?), but that contest in those settings at possible the last 50 over world cup (well, there will probably be another one but everyone knows the format's on its last legs) would be intense. Where is the final being held, Eden Gardens?

Saffies if they can get over the choking habit would be specials IMHO.

Maybe, but they'd be nowhere near as funny.

PlanetPakistan wrote:India Aus final is likely for mine

The format is very poor though so even an average team can make it to the final.

Too true PP. The first month of the tournament is effectively a gigantic waste of time. They should cut to the last 7 games and have done with it.

Anyway, T20 is where the kids are at these days. I much prefer it to the boring 50 over stuff.

I'll be happy if England make the semis, but it occurs to me that we might be a threat given our seamers' ability to get reverse swing which will be a factor given the dry nature of the pitches we are likely to play on.

Not sure how this WC stacks up in terms of time of year, but the last subi World Cup saw major problems in some venues for teams bowling under lights due to dew.

That's a problem for reverse swing.

This is the best English fielding side ever. The bowlers have developed a lot of nous and an ability to think on their feet. The only worry is the hit and miss batting, which is just as likely to be bowled out for 130 as they are to post 350.

Zat wrote:Not sure how this WC stacks up in terms of time of year, but the last subi World Cup saw major problems in some venues for teams bowling under lights due to dew.

That's a problem for reverse swing.

That's us farked then!

I still hold by my prediction that India are favourites basically because of the conditions, i.e no flippin' bounce, which will favour their batsmen who take a stride up the pitch in the happy knowledge that the ball isn't going to smack them in the ribs.

Maybe that's why Lee is in the frame for Australia. He might be able to hit a few batsmen in the ribs. Because on last night's display, he doesn't seem able to put the ball anywhere else that might be useful.

Pakistan pros and cons

Afridi is not a good captain but it's too late to change now.
Shoaib and Gul have been inconsistent and Razzaq is too slow.
Fielding has improved but it's still one of the worst in the world
Team has lost credibility and support of many fans, there are still a few players in the squad who are suspicious(Akmals and W Riaz).
With the exception of YK there is no one who can play a LONG innings.

Afridi, Razzaq, Akmal brothers and Riaz(to an extent) are very destructive batsmen
Rehman,(Ajmal), Afridi and Hafeez are the best spin combo in the world.

No way are SA favourites. We are in the middle of a rebuilding phase.

Do you think Colin Ingram and David Miller are up to the tasks, Taips? From what i've seen of them both, i'd rate Miller as the better prospect.

I still have an open mind on them Trev. Forced their way in by big scores in the domestic comps. Time will tell.

Great win for SA today, but playing on the subcontinent is another matter entirely. Still, if they thrash India again they'll have to be in with a shout.