World Cup Predictions

Woah that's shocking in what areas do you think they can improve away?

Lol!

From now on any posts that ignore JP's original request just get deleted

you think 4 batsmen are not enough? Dont they make the strongest line up?

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi you think 4 batsmen are not enough? Dont they make the strongest line up? Aussies have Ponting, Hussey and Haydn for my likings.

The latest assault of aussis by the kiwis suggests that the upcoming world cup is going to be "Anybody's Game!".

Not sure about the pitches, if these are perfect batting pitches, South Africa may well find themselves in trouble against Asian spinners, and their bowlers will also be thrashed all over the park like Nazir and Afridi did in the 2nd ODI.

Same the case with England.

Aussies are also down.

So in the end, pitches are going to decide the fate of the tournament. If batting friendly, Asians have better chances, if bouncy ones, South Africa or West Indies!!!

My Predicitions

before i thought Australia would win but now they are not in form so i think the windies will win.

My tip -

Edited by Doctor - 17 February 2007 at 1:07pm

WI
Taking into account the home conditions and the batting depth that windies can make it to finals of the world cup.West indies could win all the matches till the semifinals, recent loss against India and pakistan should not be considered as the WI management was trying to find a pool of players for World cup.

NZ
New Zealand are a team that has the maximum batting depth , They do not have any superstars but considering their abundance of allrounders,and the electric fielding will be a major force at the carrebean.Nz probably is the most settled team to go to the world cup.They have all variety of players for different roles.

Players to watch: Taylor,Mcullum,Bond and Gillepsie
chances: Finalists/semi finalists

England
England after beating the Australia in the CB series finals could have discovered their own faith and prowess.They too like NZ have different kind of players for different roles.Technically sound Vaughn and Bell , hitters like piterson and Flintoff. England have some decent bowling allrounders which can make then a real threat for the title.

Player to watch: Bell,Piterson,Flintoff and Plunkett.
Chances:Finalists/Semi finalists

Australia
They are still the champions , but the doubt created by NZ and ENGLAND has created a huge dent on their confidences key players are missing.Australians have been caught unawareness by other teams.WI,NZ and England suddenly seem better than Australia.Australian coach and management are confused with the final combination which will affect players perofrmance.There could be an upset , australians would be knocked out befor the semifinal stage just like Brazil in Football world cup.

Players to watch:Hussey and Johnson.
chances: only till Super 8

SA
Currently the South africans are at Number 1 postion.They deserve it.It is strange that I am writing them off. Yes , they are not as good as their position.SA have peaked to number 1 position beating teams like India and Pakistan at home and some help by Eng and NZ in toppling the aussies.This could prove costly for them.WI,NZ,England and Australia are much better then SA.

Players to watch:Kallis and Boucher
chances: only till Super 8

SL
They are a very good team.It will all depend on 4 players Jayasurya, Murali,Sangakkar and Mahalinga .If these players perform they can make it to semifinal stage.This side is very dangerous once it comes to Super 8 stage. They can sneak an entry to Semifianls with one great performance by likes of Jayasurya or Murali in curcial entcounters.

Player to watch:Jayasurya,Murali,Sangakara and Mahalinga
Chances:  An outside chance of Semifinalists

Pakistan
Yes , Very unpredictable team , but it can be easily predicted that they are in total diarray at the moment. They rely heavily on hope.Have only two key players.Pakistan is in a bit tougher group with Zim and WI in the pool. Expect the unexpected, Who knows Zim might create a an upset of the World cup.
Players to watch: Yousuf and Asif
Chances : Will make it to Super 8 with great difficutly or could be an upset in missing out Super 8.

India.

All my wishes so that they win the world cup.

My first post, so here goes. I'll basically just make mention of the logical teams to make the Super 8 round.

Australia
Despite the new rankings, probably still the best team in the world at the moment if they can field a full strength side. As much as everyone loves to talk about the depth of talent in Aus, they've really been shown up in NZ. Their chances are going to hinge around the availability of Symonds, Lee and Gilchrist, but even without them, and the return of Ponting, they're going be incredibly hard to beat.
Prediction: Finals

England
I know everyone is raving after the VB series win, but if we're entirely honest, you can't judge a team on one good match and two wins in Duckworth-Lewis matches when they hadn't won a thing on the same tour leading in. They're sorely lacking in consistency and are relying on single match-winners far too often. Unless something happens to gel the team and provide some consistency, particularly from their bowlers, they won't make it past the Super 8's.
Prediction: Super 8

India
An amazing batting lineup packed with match winners, but a little bit of a hit-and-miss bowling attack. I have to agree with Mojo on this one: they just don't travel well, particularly in the past 12 months.
Prediction: Super 8

New Zealand
I don't think anything can be read into the current series in their own back yard against a depleted Aus lineup. NZ, like SA, consistently fail to live up to their potential and I think having the best captain in the world at the moment helps them reach heights they wouldn't normally.
Prediction: Super 8

Pakistan
Despite having just lost the series to SA, Pakistan are a very dangerous side. On their day, they can be almost unbeatable. I think the lack of a decent opening combination coupled with constant injuries to key bowlers is holding them back and will moere than likely keep them from reaching their true potential in the tournament. Even so, they're going to be tough to beat.
Prediction: Semi-finals

South Africa
I'm trying very hard not to be biased here. SA have hit a great run of form lately and certainly have the most momentum of any team going into the tournament. Barring a few misfires in the top order, there's not been much wrong with the side at all. Having said that, they're perpetual bridesmaids and just keep failing to produce when it counts. A lot of that moniker has been dropped after the '438' win, but it's something that will still be in people's minds.
Prediction: Finals

Sri Lanka
Incredibly dangerous when they're on form and absolutely shocking when they're not. Easily the most unpredictable team in the tournament and that makes it very hard to create expectations. I can't help but think we could just as easily see a repeat of 1996 as we could see them not even make the Super 8. A lot will depend on Murali and Sangakara.
Prediction: Super 8

West Indies
You just can't write them off. They showed in the Champions Trophy that they still have what's required to beat the best in the world. Again, inconsistency is their achilles heel, but if it all comes together at the right time, I don't think anyone can stop them.
Prediction: Semi-finals


I refuse to predict a winner. When it comes down to the finals, it's the best team on the day that will win and you never know who that's going to be until the end of the game. Let's face it: halfway through SA vs Aus at the Wanderers in March when Aus posted 434/4, who did you think was the best team on the day?


Edited by Hedonism - 19 February 2007 at 9:43am

Oops. Edited now. West Indies for the 4th semi-final place. Home advantage should get them there.

Yes, nice analysis. One point  though:-

1. SA and Aus in same group. with the points carried, the loser in the first round may have less chances of making it to semis.

2. Similarly, Pak and WI in the same group, so again the same case, particularly Pak will have even less chances if they lose the opener to Windies.

So eliminating two groups completely while considering the semi-final probables may raise some eye-brows!!!

Originally posted by GreenCap So eliminating two groups completely while considering the semi-final probables may raise some eye-brows!!!

Edited by Mojo - 19 February 2007 at 11:33am