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.