After Australia’s recent collapses against a pathetic England team in 2 final games, and against New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee series, the field is wide open in the coming World Cup.

I think Australia is still the favorite but I don’t think they are the clear favorites and more importantly, other teams are now believing in themselves that they can beat the Aussies, if at all self-confidence was a factor.

In general, based on current form I think South Africa has the best chance to win it all, followed by Sri Lanka, Australia and India. Yes, I have removed New Zealand from the equation simply because they are really inconsistent in their performances. When they win, they are the best team on the planet, but the very next day they can look like Kenya or something.

The way the groups are set up, my thoughts on how the competition will unfold:

Group A - Australia, South Africa, Netherlands, Scotland
Group B - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bermuda (Sri Lanka vs Bermuda may break the record for the highest score in a one day international!)
Group C - New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada
Group D - Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland

Semis would then pit India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan/Australia

India will beat Sri Lanka and South Africa will beat either Pakistan or Australia

And finally, South Africa will beat India to win the World Cup 2007

Drat! I will have to watch pretty much the whole thing! :-)

Oh yea, signed up with willow.tv already.

Cross posted at Desicritics.org