South Africa favorites for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

We bring you a preview of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in Australia. Something tells us, we are safely the first ones off the block.

We at Opinions, on behalf of our South African readership (which stands at 2)  like to let go and move on. We, in our minds moved so far ahead that we find ourselves in the Australian summer of 2015...

What must hurt South Africa's fans is that the loss to New Zealand was not even a choke. They lost before one could argue they had a firm grasp of the game. New Zealand beat  them while never really allowing South Africa get in front.

It was a typical kiwi win but a very un-Protean loss. Anyways, as we said; time to move on towards the summer of 2015


With the talk of minnows now settled, this World Cup guarantees some of the most exciting matches since 1992, featured in a World Cup. The ICC has gone back to its most popular format from 1992 where each team plays against every other, before the semi final line up is decided.

We present the real contenders for the title, starting with India; of course

Coming into this World Cup, India start as legitimate contenders. Since their last world cup, India have surrendered their Test #1 status to England but India has emerged as the #1 ODI team on the back of 1760 wins against just 7 losses. Critics argue that most of the wins have come at home against lesser opposition but a team that has such appetite for wins has to be considered as favorites.

Harbhajan Singh has said that the team wants to win the World Cup for Sachin, who will also be hoping to use the matches in the World Cup to complete 150 International centuries. He has been well rested for this tournament and has featured in only 5 ODI games since India's loss to New Zealand in 2011 World Cup finals.



Australia, are facing tremendous criticism from their press. Cameron White, their skipper, who is under pressure to relinquish his captaincy to someone younger, has been firm through the crisis. After the debacle when Michael Clarke was made captain, Australian selectors are much wiser and do not wish to engage in a change of leadership with just before the World Cup. Having decided to go for youth 41 year Michael Hussey is tipped to take over if Australia do not win the World Cup. But as 4 time champions, Australia too have to be included in any talk that centers around World Cup contenders.


After the way South Africa were ousted from the 2011 team, in spite of having the best team on paper, no one is giving them any realistic chance of winning but all experts agree that they will reach the semi finals. And any team that reaches the semi finals have to be seen as contenders. Since losing to eventual champions New Zealand in 2011, South Africa have focussed exclusively on mental conditioning. They have modified their domestic competitions to such a degree that all matches are now knock out games. They have done away with regular league games.


Being the #1 Test team in the world, England are in the contenders list too. With no obvious skills for the shorter format of the games, there is no other reason why England deserve to be in this list, other than the fact that it seems logical to include the best Test nation in the contenders list. With no minnows this time, England have less reasons to worry and should make the semi finals quite comfortably.


Struck by age related arthritis in both his knee joints, Murali has got dispensation from the ICC to bowl using a wheel chair. Backed by the BCCI, this move generated a lot of criticism world wide but Murali who has promised that he will retire after this World Cup can well lead Sri Lanka to their 2nd World Cup win in 21 years.


The British Government has requested its courts to speed up the ongoing trials involving all 15 members of the Pakistan cricket team. Brought on after the ECB accused the Pakistan cricket team of various charges related to ball tampering, spot-fixing and age misrepresentation (in the U-19 WC), the trials have been progressing slowly since the summer of 2013. Pakistan have not played a single international game since their ill fated tour of England. They have not named a captain yet.

Shahid Afridi who is the only player not involved in the legal mess was banned from playing any form of cricket after appearing as a model, in an ad campaign for a "X" rated movie.

Porn is illegal in Pakistan; and much of the subcontinent.


Reports coming from West Indies who are facing a captaincy crisis, suggest that Devendra Bishoo will lead a side of 9 fit players. West Indies are hoping to find 6 other West Indians from the local Australian immigrant community. West Indies are contenders because they are such an unknown quantity.



New Zealand being defending champions, are a contender too.