ICC CRICKET WC 2015 CONTENDERS

                The cricket carnival is back. The flagship event of the cricket calendar will be held this year from 14^th February to 29^th March. The tournament this year will feature 14 teams competing for the coveted crown of WORLD CHAMPIONS. Everyone still remembers the last six M S Dhoni hit off Kulasekara to bring home the World cup after 28 years. This time too, the event shall have many exciting moments in Australia and New Zealand.

Let’s have a look at the contenders this year:

INDIA

Strengths – Batting will be India’s biggest strength in this tournament. A formidable line-up comprising Rohit, Virat, Raina and Dhoni himself are simply the best in the world cup.  The fielding unit is full of young bunch of energetic players. In Raina, Jadeja, Kohli, Rohit, Rahane and Dhawan, India have got 6 brilliant fielders.

Weaknesses – India’s bowling department looks like a lacklustre one. Although the spin department is quite good, the pace department has not been able to impress Down Under. Also, the non-inclusion of experienced players could be a blow to the side

Opportunity – India has the opportunity to be among the few teams to win consecutive world cups. The young guns in the team will be vying to make history this year.

Threats – Lack of experience at crucial stages is a major threat. The conditions Down Under are also not that favourable for the Indian team. Captain Dhoni will also have to improve his form for the benefit of the team.

Key Players: Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, M S Dhoni

SOUTH AFRICA

Strengths – The Proteas are one of the favourites in the tournament. They have the best team. A B DeVilliers and Dale Steyn are the greatest players in current era. They will go all out for their first WC trophy.

Weaknesses – CHOKERS. This is the term that every player in the dressing room wants to shed off. The Proteas have not won a single WC knock-out match.

Opportunity – They have the team that can taste glory this year. Backing of cricketing greats and superb form on the field shall have them going

Threats – The Proteas simply have to make sure they don’t hand matches on a platter to their opponents. Once you turn your weakness into your strengths, no target is out of bounds.

Key Players: A B DeVilliers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, David Miller

AUSTRAILIA

Strengths – The men from down under have the best opening pair, the best all-rounder on potential in the world presently (Watson), one the best middle overs players (Clarke), the best lower order hitter (Maxwell) and most intimidating fast bowler currently in Mitchell Johnson. Other than that they are most dangerous in their home conditions.

Weaknesses – The team although lacks a quality spinner. The others members of the bowling department shall not mind though.

Opportunity – The home conditions will suit them most. They never have to make a trip to New Zealand throughout the tournament. Good form in the tri-series will boost their confidence

Threats – The pressure of playing at home will affect them. Also there is slight inexperience in the side.

Key Players: Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Johnson, Glen Maxwell

SRI LANKA

Strengths – The Sri Lankans have made it to the finals of 5 world cups in the last 7 years, showing consistency similar to the Australians. They are the team of the big stage.

Weaknesses – The Lankans have some new players in their squad. Lack of depth can prove to be a weak point.Senanayeke will be missed.

Opportunity – Sangakkara and Jayawardene will be playing their last world cup. They will have it in their minds to make it big.

Threats – The Cup being held Down Under is a major disadvantage as their main bowlers i.e. spinners shall not be worth.

Key Players: Sangakkara , Jayawardene, Dilshan, MAlinga

WEST INDIES

Strengths – The West Indies team is very much versatile than their counterparts. Big hitters like Gayle and Samuel s will be the pillars of the contingent.

Weaknesses – Mystery bowler, Sunil Narine will not feature in the WC due to chucking action. Player revolts in the Caribbean team will be a concern.

Opportunity – On their day, West Indies can beat any team in the tournament

Threats – They can cause upsets at the big stage. Their unpredictability can lead to their downfall. And unfortunately for the Caribbean squad, they more often than not fail to fire collectively.

 Key Players: Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo

ENGLAND

Strengths – The Pace attack is their strength. Even though the English bowlers are better suited for the swinging pitches back home and in New Zealand, the fast bouncy Australian tracks won’t bother them much either.

Weaknesses – Captaincy is an issue with the English. The team does not include many power hitters.

Opportunity – They have never won the World Cup. The potential presence of two decent all-rounders (Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali) may encourage them to tweak the current balance of the team.

Threats – The KP saga does not seem to get over yet. Hope it doesn’t distract the players. The mindset needs to change for the better.

Key Players: Eion Morgan, James Anderson, Moeen Ali

PAKISTAN

Strengths – The fast as well as spin bowling department of the Pakistanis are their asset. This time a younger team will fight with full spirit for the coveted title.

Weaknesses – They need to make others realise that Pakistan is still a cricketing mega house. Fixing saga has troubled the team a lot in the last decade.

Opportunity – With Ajmal almost certain not to play the World Cup, it gives a chance to the plethora of spinners in the Pakistan camp to cement a permanent place in the side and go on to be one of the top spinners in the world.

Threats – Their inexplicable ability to implode; collapse when all seems to be going well. Time and again we have seen Pakistan lose from impossible positions. If Pakistan can plug that hole, they would automatically see more than just one leakage being stopped with it.

Key Players: Misbah ul Haq, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammed Hafeez, Umar Akmal

NEW ZEALAND

Strengths – They play well at the big occasions. They have world class players for every stage. Home condition will prove to be favourable.

Weaknesses – The Kiwis have a long history associated with their inability to play spin. Home pressure could have an adverse effect.

Opportunity – This year too the Kiwis will be the dark horses in the tournament. The roles played by Kane Williamson and McCullum will be key to their success.

Threats – They need to refrain from the habit of losing wickets at crucial intervals. With their excellent track record at home, they are probable semi-finalists.

Key Players: Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Tim Southee

The other six teams (Bangladesh, UAE, Ireland, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan) are not expected to make push for the title. However, each team can cause an upset on their day.

The ICC Cricket WC is surely going to be an event of much fanfare and may the best team win