With Cricket World Cup 2015 approaching, we take a look at how the teams shape up for the tournament.
FGHANISTAN (POOL A)
Captain: Mohammad Nabi
Star man: Mohammad Nabi
2011 performance: N/A
Best WC performance: Debut
Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. After only being granted ICC membership in 2001, the team will make its World Cup bow in Australia and New Zealand after finishing runners-up in the ICC World Cricket League Championship.
AUSTRALIA (POOL A)
Captain: Michael Clarke
Star man: David Warner
2011 performance: Quarter-finals
Best WC performance: Winners (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007)
Playing in their own backyard, the Australians are favourites to add to their four World Cup wins. Their cause is helped further by form of batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith, while their bowling attack will be spearheaded by ICC cricketer of the year Mitchell Johnson. However, there is uncertainty over fitness of captain Michael Clarke who is set to miss first match of the tournament.
BANGLADESH (POOL A)
Captain: Mashrafe Mortaza
Star man: Shakib Al Hasan
2011 performance: Group stage
Best WC performance: Super Eight (2007)
Bangladesh have shown their ability to surprise since they made their World Cup debut in 1999 — memorably beating Pakistan that year and edging out India in 2007. However, they have been not been able to live up to the promise shown since then.
ENGLAND (POOL A)
Captain: Eoin Morgan
Star man: Moeen Ali
2011 performance: Quarter-finals
Best WC performance: Finalists (1975, 1987, 1992)
England have had a grim 2014 - especially in the one day game. They have lost five of the last six one-day international series. However, with Alastair Cook being replaced by Eoin Morgan — and the return to fitness of bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson — England will now be hoping to turn their fortunes around.
NEW ZEALAND (POOL A)
Captain: Brendon McCullum
Star man: Brendon McCullum
2011 performance: Semi-finals
Best WC performance: Semifinalists (1975, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2007, 2011)
New Zealand are consistent performers in World Cups, having made it to semifinals on six occasions. However, they have never been able to make it to the final. With home advantage on their side, plus the emergence of young talents like Kane Williamson, they’ll be eager to correct that statistic.
SCOTLAND (POOL A)
Captain: Preston Mommsen
Star man: Matt Machan
2011 performance: N/A
Best WC performance: Group Stages (1999, 2007)
Scotland have been part of the World Cup twice before and on both occasions were not able to go beyond the group stage. Coached by former England player Paul Collingwood this time round, Scotland will be looking to spring in a few surprises
SRI LANKA (POOL A)
Captain: Angelo Mathews
Star man: Kumar Sangakkara
2011 performance: Final
Best WC performance: Winners (1996)
Over the last five tournaments, Sri Lanka are one of the most consistent teams, reaching three finals — winning once in 1996. At the heart of any success is likely to be Kumar Sangakkara, the scorer of 1,256 one-day runs in 2014 (averaging 46.51) and undoubtedly the best batsman of the last year.
INDIA (POOL B)
Captain: MS Dhoni
Star man: Virat Kohli
2011 performance: Winners
Best WC performance: Winners (1983, 2011)
After clinching the World Cup in 2011, the defending champions will be looking for a repeat performance Down Under. The team is packed with explosive batters — like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni — but their bowling has been a cause of concern, especially after their dismal performance in the recent test series against Australia
IRELAND (POOL B)
Captain: William Porterfield
Star man: William Porterfield
2011 performance: Group stage
Best WC performance: Super Eight (2007)
Ireland, like Bangladesh, have shown flashes of brilliance — beating Pakistan in 2007 and England in 2011 — but their performances have largely been inconsistent. They’re also sweating on the fitness of key pace bowler Tim Murtagh. However, the team still has potential to spring in a few surprises.
PAKISTAN (POOL B)
Captain: Misbah-ul-Haq
Star man: Shahid Afridi
2011 performance: Semi-finals
Best WC performance: Winners (1992)
Pakistan won the World Cup last played in Australia and New Zealand back in 1992. At the time, they were armed with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram — how they’d like that duo in their squad this time around. With premier spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez still suspended from bowling, Pakistan will look to their skipper and Afridi to lift the fortunes of the team
SOUTH AFRICA (POOL B)
Captain: AB de Villiers
Star man: AB de Villiers
2011 performance: Quarter-finals
Best WC performance: Semifinalists (1992, 1999, 2007)
South Africa will be coming to Australia as one of the firm favourites to lift the World Cup. With an experienced batting-line up —featuring Hashim Amla and captain de Villiers — and a world-beating bowling unit led by the imposing figure of Dale Steyn, the Proteas will be looking to get rid of their ‘chokers’ tag with a first World Cup win
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (POOL B)
Captain: Mohammad Tauqir
Star man: Mohammad Tauqir
2011 performance: N/A
Best WC performance: Group Stages (1996)
The United Arab Emirates will be playing the World Cup for first time since 1996. Under the mentorship of former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed, UAE will be looking to make a mark in the tournament.
WEST INDIES (POOL B)
Captain: Jason Holder
Star man: Chris Gayle
2011 performance: Quarter-finals
Best WC performance: Winners (1975, 1979)
The West Indies are the only team besides India and Australia who have won two or more World Cups. The team’s preparations have been hit by the controversial exclusion of potential star players Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard — who were involved heavily in the team’s pay dispute in October 2014 — a move that top batsman Chris Gayle described as “victimisation”. Their new captain, 23-year-old Jason Holder, has his work cut out
ZIMBABWE (POOL B)
Captain: Elton Chigumbura
Star man: Prosper Utseya (pictured)
2011 performance: Group stage
Best WC performance: Super-Six (1999)
Despite beating Australia in August 2014, the preparations of the Zimbabwe team leading up to World Cup have been nothing short of disastrous. Following a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh in the ODI series in November and December, coach Stephen Mangongo was replaced by Dav Whatmore and five of the regular squad were dropped for the World Cup. Prosper Utseya, a spinner and one of their better bowlers has had to alter his bowling action after being hauled up by the ICC for suspect action. Though he has also been included in the squad, he can now only bowl medium-pacers due to ICC restrictions.
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