Let the carnival begin

The World Cup, the ICC's marquee event, is finally here. And judging from the opening ceremony that is how it should be, a carnival. Not a half baked attempt at gathering all the Test playing nations just 3-4 months in the runup to the main event in the form of the Champions Trophy.

The format of the World Cup has been a topic of much debate. With many critics slamming the presence of minnows leading to one-sided contests. But I think the ICC has achieved a fine balance between its vision of global participation and maintaining a certain level of competitiveness. The presence of around 7 or 8 minnows (depends on how one classifies Bangladesh) satisfies the ICC's objective of globalising the game and increasing the participation of teams outside the Test playing coterie. They have managed to increase the number of minnows and shorten the group phase from last time round at the same time.

Another aspect is that of the Super Eight. Assuming all results go as expected one can, on paper, expect a fiercely contested stage with all the big guns facing each other before the semi-finals. This was one of the highlights of the 1992 format (where everybody played everybody) which I thought has been the best.

Now as to who will win it. The World Cup has seem to become a lot more open that it was around a year back with Australia steamrolling everyone who dared to cross their paths. Notwithstanding there recent hiccups, one must not underestimate them. It is dangerous to write them off given their domination and resilience over the past. They could just turn up and start beating everyone out of the park like nothing ever went wrong.

All the other teams stand an equal chance on their day. They all have their dark sides. India's tendency to range from the sublime to the ridiculous, Sri Lanka's over dependence on Vaas & Murali, Pakistan & West Indies' tendency for schizophrenic performances, South Africa's big occasion blues, New Zealand's tendency to remain what they are i.e. underdogs and finally England's habit of plummeting to levels never breached.

Also it is the last World Cup for many aging warriors from the last decade. So they would all like one last hit at glory which should make for some engrossing viewing.

My pick for the last 4 are Australia (who else!?), India (ofcourse!!), South Africa & New Zealand (the token underdogs).