England batsman Moeen Ali plays a shot during their Cricket World Cup warm-up match against the West Indies in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Feb. 9, 2015.Rob Griffith/The Associated Press
Fourteen teams will compete in this year's ICC Cricket World Cup, with two groups of seven playing an initial round-robin style. The top four in each group proceed to the knockout stage. This should be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with six teams sporting a legitimate chance to win.
India
The reigning World Cup champions and Bollywood heartthrobs will be one of the main teams to beat. India's batting lineup will, as always, be a force to reckon with. Playing the most matches a year, and with the one-day international (ODI) format being its strongest, India will back itself to set large targets or chase down scores with calculated ease.
The biggest improvement in India's game over the past generation is in its fielding. India will pull off many match-winning plays with what is arguably the best fielding unit in the competition.
If there is a slight kink in the Indian artillery, it comes in the form of the bowling department. With the lack of a really penetrative, fast-bowling unit, India will struggle to build pressure on opposing batting teams and restrict them to average scores. Its fast bowlers will need to adapt to Australian conditions and be consistent with their line and lengths. Death bowling and bowling to field positions are key. Fitness will also prove a factor as well with not a lot of bench strength to call upon.
In the spin department, India will have to bowl in the right areas and use variations on cricket pitches that don't offer too much for it. While it possesses quality in that area, the conditions may not always be conducive for that type of bowling.
With a good balance of aggressive stroke play and match experience, look for India to place in the quarter-finals. However, it will require exceptional performances to beat teams with fast bowling attacks.
Players to watch: Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, Rohit Sharma
South Africa
The Proteas, as they're known, are a powerhouse in international cricket. They possess the ability in all departments, in multiple playing conditions with proven, experienced match winners. Their form of late has been nothing less than exemplary and has largely been in part because of their stability at the top and middle part of the batting order.
Their fast bowling continues to be that of the best in the world and consistently get early breakthroughs to set the opposition back early. A huge asset in Australian conditions.
South Africa's spin options will be under pressure to restrict teams from scoring in the middle overs. With only one front-line spinner with World Cup exposure, the country's spin department will be tested. Conversely, with the Proteas's agility and speed in the field, look for it to assist in building pressure on the opposing lineups.
Although the South African side has in the past been labelled as a team of chokers, it will no doubt be looking to impose its massive strength on the opposition. This could be the year that South Africa finally wins.
Players to watch: AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn
England
Coming into the tournament as a relative underdog, England appears to be the team that nobody seems to be talking about. Having never won a Cricket World Cup and finishing runners-up in three others, it will have the benefit of teams assuming they are guaranteed wins. This is a mistake.
The English team has faced a number of setbacks. External distractions, personnel and coaching changes have all impeded its preparation over the past two years.
But all of that is behind it and the side has looked like a composed unit recently. A fairly balanced team, England has a good mixture of young, exciting players together with some seasoned campaigners. Look for it to create some upsets.
Players to watch: Moeen Ali, Eion Morgan, Steve Finn
Pakistan
Anyone familiar with cricket will know the utter frustration of being a fan of Pakistan cricket. The abundance of raw talent makes it exciting to watch when playing well, but in the same breath can leave you pulling out your hair. This World Cup year is likely no different.
Pakistan has not had a good run of consistent form lately, but it does at least boast some exciting young players who possess the ability to win games. The fast bowling attack was dealt a late injury to one of its top performers, but should still prove very effective.
Pakistan's major disadvantage will likely be consistency throughout the tournament. As fans have seen time and again, its ability to back up solid performances has always been its Achilles heel.
Players to watch: Mohammad Irfan, Ahmed Shehzad, Yasir Shah
New Zealand
The Black Caps seem to be everyone's second-favourite side. With the smallest population of any of the major teams, New Zealand continues to produce world-class players that punch well above their weight. While it has always been a team that fights hard and shows promise, New Zealand has yet to get over the hump of winning a major tournament. All that can change this year.
New Zealand is a genuine World Cup contender and boasts a very strong, balanced lineup. Recent winning form has come from consistent play and spectacular individual performances. New Zealand is a team others know can inflict some damage and playing in home conditions will work to its advantage.
In the past, its bowling has lacked consistent penetration but this year it has a formidable attack coupled with excellent fielding and a very dangerous batting lineup. Look for New Zealand to have a real shot at lifting the trophy.
Players to watch: Kane Williamson, Adam Milne, Brendon McCullum
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the epitome of big-match players and regardless of its form going into major tournaments, the country always seems to be there. In fact, since 2003 Sri Lanka has finished in either the finals or semi-finals. The unfortunate side is that it has failed to win after its amazing run in 1996.
Sri Lankans are tough cricketers and put everything on the line every game, which will mean they can and will push teams to the very end.
Recent form would indicate that it isn't in a position to make a serious push for the trophy, but this tournament can bring out the best in certain players and Sri Lanka can never be counted out. It has a fairly balanced batting lineup with some major experience.
Players to watch: Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga
West Indies
The Calypso Kings are almost guaranteed to entertain. Unfortunately we won't know when. Although blessed with some amazing talent, consistency throughout a long tournament is something they have struggled with.
Recent form has been poor and with some off-field distractions making headlines, the Windies will have to place those interruptions to the back of their minds.
Other teams are very wary of their destructive batting lineup, so no game or total can be taken lightly by the opposition.
If they have any chance of making the knockout stage, the Windies will need to come together as team and have consistent contributions from each member.
Players to watch: Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Sulieman Benn
Australia
The Aussies will once again be the team to beat this year. Playing in their home conditions and coming off some consistent performances, it will be no surprise if they are hoisting the trophy for a record fifth time.
Australia consistently seems to produce players who can all be considered match winners.
One of the main reasons for the country's continued success is because it plays disciplined cricket and makes the fewest mistakes. In true Australian fashion, its ability to apply constant pressure on the opposition throughout the match makes it very difficult to beat once it has the upper hand.
Players to watch: Steve Smith, David Warner, James Faulkner
Ireland
Ireland can safely be labelled giant-killers primarily because it has done it so often in the past. Making its third appearance in a World Cup, Ireland continues to improve year in, year out.
With relatively the same team over the past eight years, the Irish have developed a strong, unified unit that play for one another and are fuelled by the constant pressure of proving themselves against the bigger teams.
For Ireland to be successful, it will need to get early breakthroughs and restrict teams to subpar scores, which its batting lineup is more than capable of chasing.
The fast bowling department may lack consistent penetration, but if it can maintain good disciplined bowling, it can force opposition batters to take risks and perhaps make mistakes. Its fielding is world-class and look for the Irish to play with all-out passion and determination.
Ireland's goal of getting to the knockout stage will be tough, but it's a challenge it is more than willing to accept and accomplish.
Players to watch: Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, William Porterfield
Afghanistan
There will likely be more eyes on the Afghanistan team than any other. The side has maintained the same core group of players for some time and they will be out to prove themselves on the world stage.
Afghanistan has always played with a massive amount of passion and has some exciting players with a vast amount of experience.
This being its first World Cup, Afghanistan will have to keep its emotions in check and not get caught up in outside distractions surrounding the tournament.
The Afghans' bowling is a strong point for them and they will need to maintain pressure on the batting team in order to restrict opposing sides to totals they can chase. Their fielding is not traditionally a strong area, so they will have to take every opportunity the opposition gives them.
While it has been relatively successful against other similar teams, Afghanistan will have to play to the best of its ability to pull off an upset and have a chance in the knockout stage.
Players to watch: Hamid Hassan, Usman Ghani, Mohammad Nabi
Scotland
Scotland last appeared in the World Cup in 2007, after first appearing in 1999. It has been a long and hard road back but is a true testament to the country's domestic structure and programs that it has returned.
Scotland, like other associate teams, will need to play at its peak to put any pressure on the full-member teams. Without a bowling attack that will trouble the full-member teams consistently, the Scots' performance on the field will be key to restrict opposition totals.
Its batting is a strong point and if it can obtain totals of between 220 and 250 runs, it will be in a position to put opposing teams under pressure if it can get wickets – that is, to dismiss opposing batsmen – early. An upset and wins against other associate countries may see Scotland past the group stage.
Players to watch: Preston Mommsen, Richie Berrington, Kyle Coetzer
United Arab Emirates
The UAE's only appearance at a World Cup was in 1996. Its campaign was memorable, not because of performances, but because a former captain walked out to bat without a helmet against South Africa (and likely the world's fastest bowler at the time, Allan Donald) and was immediately struck on the head.
The UAE will not be the most dynamic team in the tournament and over the duration it will be tested mentally and emotionally. The tournament will feel long if it can't take any positives out of each game.
It does, however, have some seasoned veterans who have played professional cricket in their countries of birth and they will no doubt be looking to showcase their skills.
Players to watch: Khurram Khan, Shaiman Anwar, Andri Berenger
Zimbabwe
When will Zimbabwe get it right is a common question when describing its cricket. It seems that each time the country looks to gain traction, something comes along to derail its progress. Internal issues, player discontent and conflict over contracts have all stemmed its progress.
Its issues aside, Zimbabwe continues to produce players who have shown glimpses of brilliance and on their day can upset any team.
A good fielding unit together with a more-than-capable batting lineup should see the team trouble most sides and potentially cause an upset.
However, Zimbabwe's lack of quality international fixtures against strong teams will hamper its campaign and it will struggle to get out of the group stage.
Players to watch: Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza
Bangladesh
The Tigers are the team that has always shown to be potential giant-slayers but have never consistently lived up to the title.
Despite a solid domestic structure, good facilities and backing from its fans, Bangladesh has underperformed and does not look to threaten any of the big teams. In fact, it will be targeted by the associate countries, who will be hungry for an upset.
The Tigers do possess a group of players who have a lot of ODI experience, and who can win games on their day, but with the fast bowlers lacking consistent penetration, Bangladesh will struggle to chase large scores and restrict teams to chaseable ones.
Second of three parts. Tomorrow: Predictions, and which matches to watch.