Here is my take for the upcoming Cricket World Cup:
The table above shows my prediction. (Cell BG and Text colors are as per the Primary and Secondary of the respective Team Jerseys, 'the ones I got in MS excel. Number preceding the teams are their standings in the Pool.)
Pool-A:
The mighty Australians would top the Pool, followed by New Zealand, SriLanka and England (In that order). With the current form of Brendon McCullum and home advantage, NZL will likely sail through the challenge of SL. Morally down England wont be much of challenge to any of the Top teams. The only upset I predict, would be of Afghanistan defeating Bangladesh.
Pool-B:
A though Pool indeed. SAF, IND and PAK are three very good teams in this Pool. Expecting nail biters among the three. India with it's tremendous (Yet unpredictable) batting line up seems to have a slight edge over Pakistan, who have talented albeit such an inexperienced bowling line up as compared to their last winning WC campaign here in '92. Also absence of Saeed Ajmal and out of form Umar Gul have dented their attack to a large extent. So expecting a close fight between IND and PAK. SAF would be slightly better favorites among, considering the conditions would be ideal for Styen and Morkel to destroy the opposition's batting line up. AbD, Hashim and FaF are all in such a good form. WICA team just seems so messed up right now. Expecting an upset against the Ireland.
Quarter Final-1: Australia (A1) v/s Ireland (B4)
Predicted Winner: Australia
Quarter Final-2: NewZealand (A2) v/s Pakistan (B3)
Expecting a NewZealand win here. They not only won an ODI series against Pakistan in DUBAI but also came back to square the series against them at the same venue.
Quarter Final-3: SriLanka (A3) v/s India (B2)
Winners: India. Weakness for India is their blunt bowling line up. Not much of a threat to the players like Sangakara, Mahela or Angelo. But The batting line up can surely take the SL bowling line up apart. Also Malinga's record against India is not so impressive.
Quarter Final-4: England (A4) v/s South Afric (B1)
Expected Winners: South Africa.
SemiFinal-1 Australia (Q1) v/s India (Q3)
Expected Winners: Australia. If not the top order, Australia's batting tail would definitely take away the match from India.
SemiFinal-2 NewZealand (Q2) v/s SouthAfrica (Q4)
Expected Winner: South Africa. This would be the match where a gazillion of Sixes would be hit. Baz's no. sixes would just fall short of the total no. of Sixes hit by AbD, FaF and Co. So, South Africa.
The grand Finals:
Australia (SF-1) v/s South Africa (SF-2)
AbD v/s Maxwell, Steyn v/s MJ, FaF v/s Smith, Morkel v/s Harris.
Battle of the Supremos. Would be the match of the Tournament for me. Nail Biter for sure, not different than many the Aus, SAf matches. MCG would witness a scintillating heroic innings of AbD, the innings of his life.
He would triumph the challenges from MJ and RH and take SAf to victory.
Proteas are the winners of the ICC Cricket World Cup-2015.
Proteas are no more 'The Chokers'
