Top 5 bowlers to watch

With two new balls (one at either end) for the first time in the WC, it's going to nip around and bounce in these conditions and the forgotten men of the last WC may well have a say on the final outcome. Fast bowlers should relish these conditions (provided they bowl well) and there's no surprise that they make the bulk of this list.

1. Dale Steyn - Probably the best bowler in the world, Steyn will have a big impact in this World Cup for SA. His extra pace will be more than handy in these conditions and there is one thing which separates him from some of the others - is his ability to strike in second and third spells. I think he will turn at least a couple games in the bowling power play and will dictate how SA play in this cup.

2. Mitchell Starc - No, there is no typo. I did mean Starc and not Johnson because from what we have seen of Starc so far this summer he is going to be a great asset for Australia with the new ball. It is only going to help having Johnson scare the opposition batsmen at the other end while Starc swings a few late to make life difficult for them. Only thing that he may want to watch out is the late spell with the older ball.

3. Trent Boult - NZ have a pace-bowling attack rivaling any this WC but I think Boult may be what Bond was to them few years ago. He swings the ball, is accurate and takes important wickets. Southee, Milne and others will provide great foil but I believe Boult will deliver the few prize wickets in important games.

4. James Anderson - Anderson struggled in sub-continent conditions in the last WC and it just feels that the heat and humidity gets better on him on seamer unfriendly conditions. But without doubt, he has the one of the best controls with the new ball and gets 1-2 wickets at the top. He will be a handful and it will be best to use him more in the early overs because his end-overs bowling is not as good.

5. Imran Tahir - The leg-spinner is one of the few wrist spinners who will be regular part of XI this WC. He has improved his ODI bowling over the last couple of years and he will provide that X-factor to the SA bowling attack that they've always lacked in the big tournaments. His ability to take wickets in middle overs will be crucial.

Top 5 batsmen to watch

The coming World Cup down under will be a great test for batsmanship as the conditions will have some assistance for the bowlers throughout. The hard surfaces will also mean that once a batsman gets in, then it will be great for stroke play and you will see some memorable performances particularly towards the end of the innings. My top 5 to watch will be (in no particular order):

AB DeVilliers - Without doubt the best batsman in the world today in all conditions and all forms of the game. Exceptionally skilled and mentally strong, De Villiers will be extra motivated this time as he is leading the SA team. Not withstanding the fastest hundred he scored recently (31 balls!) against a clueless attack on a flat track, this guy has shown his ability to finish off ODIs and take the best of the attacks to the cleaners. Also, he will more often than not have a good platform to play upon but he holds the SA batting aces at number 4 in the lineup.

S. Smith -  The in-form batsman of Australian summer so far, Steve Smith is in the form of his lifetime. He has shown how to pace an innings in both tests and ODIs and doesn't look stuck at any point during his innings. Slightly unorthodox but effective footwork and very good match awareness makes him a tough bloke to bowl to in current form. Again batting at no.4, he may not be as destructive as DeVilliers but he can run the opposition ragged in no time.

K. Williamson - The mainstay of NZ batting has recently shown his class and is a very crucial asset of NZ batting. Playing beside some destructive batsman, Williamson is very classy and elegant no.3. He can accelerate in no time too but his role is going to be balancing the NZ batting and providing the calm in important games. Good player of spin and pace, he has the potential to make this World Cup his own.

V. Kohli - Perhaps one of the most gifted of the modern day batsmen, Kohli has a stupendous record in ODIs. With 21 ODI tons to his name and his ability to chase big totals, he is undoubtedly one of the players to watch out for. He will have to take his time in the middle initially because he has the ability to up the ante in no time and if he fires consistently, he alone will take India far in the tournament.

K. Sangakarra - The oldest of the lot but one of the finest batsmen of all time, this might be the swansong for Sangakarra. He's shown great form recently and has been to a few WC finals to know what it takes. A fluent strokemaker, Sangakarra is also technically very correct to face any kind of attack under all conditions. With his experience and 13000 runs on his name, he is going to keep the older brigade running this World Cup.

What India need to do

India have shown indifferent form leading up to the World Cup and this is not the first time. They struggled in NZ before reaching finals in 2003 WC in South Africa. Australian conditions are somewhat similar but the grounds are bigger. In order to win here unlike the subcontinent, you need more people contributing to win against good oppositions and others need to support. Here are few key things they will need:

• India will need one out of the top three to play through the innings on most occasions. One of the top 3 will need to have a big tournament.
• The team management feels that Kohli at 4 is important to balance the batting especially playing with the lower middle order. This could go either way but teams often loose a couple wickets for not more in the first 15 overs in these conditions and that's when numbers 4, 5 and 6 will be important.
• They will need useful contributions from their numbers 7 and 8 especially in crucial ties. It's those quick 20-30 runs that will matter and help team win matches.
• Spinners will have to be economical but also takes wickets. In Indian conditions, they usually are able to calm things down after a frenetic opposition start but it will be much harder to do on these big grounds where ball comes to bat more consistently.
• Opening bowlers will have to get some breakthroughs. Make no mistake, they will be hit in the  end overs but if they can take a few wickets at the top, it will help contain the opposition.
• Fielding will have to be sharp with some match turning catches or run-outs.

These sound like almost everything that any team should do but a combination of few of these things consistently and you will see India win more matches. They did these things very well in 2008 to win the triangular tournament in Australia. In the on-going tri-series, they've done almost none of the above well and the result is there to see.

First look: West Indies

West Indies, who won the first two editions of the tournament and never looked like winning one in the last 15 years. Now it's no longer about the dearth of greats that they produced so frequently then, it's about the money (or lack of) in the game that has prompted the players to hunt for outside opportunities.

A look at the squad ....

WI began their preparations in the worst possible way with controversy surrounding their two celebrated cricketers (Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard) not making the final squad for the tournament. Not that these two have been stellar in this form of the game but their ability and experience definitely is not replaceable by the substitutes that have been selected. Also, having an inexperienced captain like Holder to lead the team in a high-pressure tournament is not going to help their chances.

Strengths -

Power hitting is something that comes naturally to a lot of WI batsman who frequent the T20 leagues around the world. On their day, the likes of Gayle, Smith, Samuels, Simmons, Sammy and Russell (minus Bravo and Pollard) can rack up big totals in 20 overs but their ability to put together a solid batting performance in 50 overs against quality attacks is a question mark. Sunil Narine is back for the tournament and that's a big boost to an attack in need of a leader.

Weaknesses - 

Lack of consistency in batting and bowling is going to be a big weakness of this side. Their batsman will need to take up responsibility and bowlers will need to form a disciplined attack to complement Narine for them to be a force at this World Cup. Also, they will have to guard against complacency that has bitten them in past tournaments against lesser teams. 

Prediction - WI are the fourth favorites to qualify for the quarter-finals from Group B behind SA, India and Pakistan bar major upsets. Ireland will definitely be eyeing that spot and I won't be surprised if this mercurial side has an off day for an early exit from the tournament.

First look: Australia

Australia start the WC as the most favorites as they did in 1992 (coming in as defending champions then). Their record in ODIs played at home especially is very good. The quarter-final loss against India in 2011 must be hurting the players who pride themselves in performing well in this tournament having won it four times already.

A look at the squad ....

Aussie squad has embarrassment of riches. They've so many options/combinations they could play that it is going to be hard to find in starting XI. If Michael Clarke becomes fit and leads the team then it's going to be very hard to accommodate all three recent captains: him, Bailey and Watson.

Strengths -

It is a very strong team when you can see proven quality performers leading batting and bowling. Warner & Finch followed by Watson is an explosive top order. In the middle-order they've Clarke, Bailey and in-form Smith. That followed by a lower order that could consist of Marsh/Maxwell, Haddin and Faulkner. Johnson and Starc can smash the ball too and they are lethal with one in their hand. Cummins/Hazelwood provide good pace support with good seam bowling all-rounders. They also run well between wickets which is very important in big Australian grounds and are a good out-fielding side.

Weaknesses - 

The only chink in the armor is dearth of quality spin options.Doherty is steady at best and Maxwell can chip in a few overs. It's not a big-deal given the conditions and they may choose not to play a frontline spinner based on conditions. 

Prediction - Australia are going to be the team to beat this WC and they will most likely lead their group. They may face a relatively weaker Group B opponent in that case which will make them a certainty in final four. Given their record in big games in Australia, it will take a team to play its top game to beat this side in their own backyard from then on.

First look: Pakistan

Pakistan last won the WC in these conditions in 1992. It took few things to go their way that time for them to make the semis and after that they were quite superb. This team will need more than a fair share of things to go their way because it does not look a very settled unit especially given their inexperience in these conditions.

A look at the squad ....

Misbah-ul-haq leads the team as one of the oldest players in the WC. With Younis Khan and Afridi as the only other experienced members, the squad lacks significant experience compared to Pakistan teams of past that have participated in World tournaments. With no Ajmal and Hafeez unable to bowl, the team will have lesser bowling resources than what they have had in fast.

Strengths -

If anything, bowling is also the only strength of this squad. Mohammed Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan will be possibly the first set of 3 left-armers to represent a WC squad. Irfan has shown that he can be handful in pacy conditions and the others have also shown glimpses of the promise. Afridi will pair up with Yasir Shah as the twin leg-spin attack that has ability to get breakthroughs in the middle overs. 

Weaknesses - 

Batting has been Pakistan's problem ever since Inzamam and Mohammed Yousuf retired and this time is no different. Younis and Misbah can steer the ship in the middle overs and Afridi can provide some fireworks but what this team really needs is sizable contributions with the bat from Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammed Hafeez. But again, given the conditions, it may be too much to ask. Their fielding has routinely let them down like it did in last WC semi-finals.

Prediction - Pakistan can be very unpredictable but even then this side does not bode a lot of promise this World Cup. It doesn't have the depth and experience of the class of 92' to pull-off miraculous win. They will have to show a lot of flair that we seldom see nowadays if they have to make it past the quarters this time.

First Look: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have performed well in World tournaments in the last decade. In fact, they have made the finals in last two WC appearances and semis in the other. A lot of that has to do with the wealth of ODI experience they have had especially in their batting and a certain off-spinner who has now retired.

A look at the squad ....

Sri Lanka have been going through re-building process and this will be the last WC for two of its stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. They have groomed a good leader in Angelo Matthews over the last couple years and he has taken his game to the next level. The squad has quite a few options but lacks depth and experience in the bowling department.

Strengths -

Middle-order batting is definitely a big strength of this team and with Dilshan's experience at the top, they could put competitive totals. Matthews is a good finisher but he will need more support from the likes of Mendis, Perera etc. Always a good fielding side, this team will have to make most of the half chances to compensate for lesser bowling options. If Matthews and Perera can show their all-round skills, it will help them immensely.

Weaknesses - 

Sri Lanka bowling lacks the variety and experience that it has had over the years with Murali. They have some promising quicks but I'm not too sure of their consistency and ability to bowl to good batting line-ups in non-subcontinent conditions. If anything, they can be restrictive but lack wicket taking skills. Also, apart from the experience trio and Matthews, batting is very inconsistent and lacks the punch to do well in pressure situations.

Prediction - With them in the same group as the hosts, SL will have to play really well to finish top two in the group. I don't think the conditions are going to suit their game and they will face a tough quarter-final opponent from the other group. I won't back them to make the top 4 this time around.

First look: New Zealand

The perennial fighters in World Cricket tournaments are for me, the dark horses going into 2015 WC. New Zealand once again have the ingredients that are reminiscent of the '92 journey: good batting, very useful all-rounders and an inspired captain making bold moves. What they also have from their recent test match heroics - a potent new ball pair.

A look at the squad ....

Daniel Vettori returns to NZ squad and brings a wealth of experience in bowling department along with Kyle Mills. Brendon McCullum leads as a pure batsman as Luke Ronchi takes the wicket keeping role. Grant Elliot replaces Neesham as an all-rounder lower down the order. Batting has been fairly stable in the last 1-2 years and there are no surprises there.

Strengths -

Good batting depth and an exciting crop of new ball bowlers are big advantages for this side. Boult and Southee form a formidable new ball pair and they have decent support from Milne, Mills and McClenaghan. Bowling abilities of Anderson and Elliot will help balance the squad with spinners who can both bat. Middle order is fairly strong with McCullum (if he does not open), Williamson, Taylor. 

Weaknesses - 

If anything, the openers will need to fire to get them good starts, Guptill and Latham may open or be replaced by McCullum based on form. Vettori has always been a miserly spinner and Nathan McCullum always gives his 100% but there are no exceptional wicket taking abilities in the middle overs. Games against SL, Pak prior to WC will give an indication of the choices they make.

Prediction - NZ are going to be playing all of their league matches at home and also QF and SF if they qualify. With a very balanced side,, home advantages and players in form, I back them to go a step further this time and make the WC final for the first time in their history.

First look: South Africa

South Africa announced their 15 in a bid to make it beyond the WC semi-finals for the first time. Since re-admission, WC'92 was SA's best performance until they were undone by the rain-rule in that tournament. Always a competitive and strong side, this SA squad have very experienced cricketers but there are some relatively new faces as well.

A look at the squad ....

With 8 players with previous WC experience, SA have resources for most situations in their squad. In De Kock, Rossouw and Behardien, they have fresh batting talent to support the stalwarts like Amla and De Villiers. Dale Steyn will lead a pace-dominated attack but they will dearly miss the all-round services of Kallis that they have so gotten used to in previous WCs.

Strengths -

Fast Bowling is this team's biggest strength. In Steyn, Morkel and Philander, they've the finest attack which will be supported by Abbot/Parnell. Tahir is the first choice spinner but Phangiso may get his chance at some point in the tournament. In AB De Villiers, they have probably the best limited-overs batsman in the world with Amla providing stability at the top. De Kock, Du Plessis and Miller have all showed spark in opportunities so far. Duminy will be very useful as the all-rounder.

Weaknesses - 

There are not many chinks in the armor but if anything the spin attack is not as potent. Tahir will have to provide the wicket-taking option in the middle overs but I don't see this as a big issue. Over-reliance on AB De Villiers in later stages of batting has often led to their downfall recently and he would be hoping that Duminy and Miller can stand up at crucial points. The team lacks the all-rounders that SA teams have possessed in the past.

Prediction - SA are one of the top two favorites in the WC. I think they will top the Group B but will have to deal with the knock out pressure games better than they have before. The team has all the talent to reach their first finals in a World Cup tournament.