The World Cup hit its halfway mark on Wednesday and while it keeps getting hotter with quarter-finals on the anvil, the teams are starting to take shape and give their fans an idea of what to expect.
Australia: On the prowl!
Defending champions are still undefeated in WC 2011 and look confident for the trophy.
Bangladesh: False promises!
They continue to flounder and kneel down for totals as low as 58 just when they look like getting back to their feet.
Canada: Better than Kenya!
Canada should be pretty satisfied to go home with a win against the 2003 semifinalists but would lament their missed chance against Pakistan.
England: Fighters!
They are fighting on the field and off it as well and after defeating proteas in low scoring game are full of confidence.
India: Nervous, but still favourites!
Finding the right bowling combination continues to top India's to-do list. Until that gets tick-marked, it will be hard to calm down tense nerves which were on display in the mess they had to clear before beating Ireland and the Netherlands. But they are still favourites as like Aussies; India is undefeated in World Cup 2011.
Ireland: Team of the minnows!
Kevin O'Brien has become a household name in India after his 50-ball hundred that stunned England into silence.
Kenya: On ventilator!
They hang to a crumbling thread in world cricket and after losing to Canada, their story has become the most sorry one in this World Cup.
Netherlands: Hard triers!
Ryan ten Doeschate clearly stands out among the 'orange' crowd. But they need to perform better to win a match in WC 2011.
New Zealand: Fickle performers!
Individual brilliance like Ross Taylor's against Pakistan won't happen daily and their bits-and-pieces players have to complement each other to be a successful unit.
Pakistan: Hot and cold!
On a Sunday, they beat Sri Lanka but on a Monday, they get seriously challenged by Canada. That's Pakistan for you, the most deserving candidate for the 'Unpredictable' tag.
South Africa: Save us from choking!
It seems Graeme Smith and his boys get scared at the sight of a big win. At least that's what they showed in their ridiculously unsuccessful chase of 171 against England.
Sri Lanka: Still dangerous!
Though they lost to Pakistan at home, Sri Lanka remain a serious title contender with potent batting and bowling lineups in subcontinent conditions.
West Indies: Trying hard!
It might sound harsh but with batting that depends entirely on Chris Gayle and bowling that is modest at best, expecting them to go farther than quarterfinals will be a bit too optimistic.
Zimbabwe: Not improving!
Zimbabwe are finding it difficult to come out of the shadow of political crisis that ruined their team, forcing them to opt out of Tests.
Australia: On the prowl!
Defending champions are still undefeated in WC 2011 and look confident for the trophy.
Bangladesh: False promises!
They continue to flounder and kneel down for totals as low as 58 just when they look like getting back to their feet.
Canada: Better than Kenya!
Canada should be pretty satisfied to go home with a win against the 2003 semifinalists but would lament their missed chance against Pakistan.
England: Fighters!
They are fighting on the field and off it as well and after defeating proteas in low scoring game are full of confidence.
India: Nervous, but still favourites!
Finding the right bowling combination continues to top India's to-do list. Until that gets tick-marked, it will be hard to calm down tense nerves which were on display in the mess they had to clear before beating Ireland and the Netherlands. But they are still favourites as like Aussies; India is undefeated in World Cup 2011.
Ireland: Team of the minnows!
Kevin O'Brien has become a household name in India after his 50-ball hundred that stunned England into silence.
Kenya: On ventilator!
They hang to a crumbling thread in world cricket and after losing to Canada, their story has become the most sorry one in this World Cup.
Netherlands: Hard triers!
Ryan ten Doeschate clearly stands out among the 'orange' crowd. But they need to perform better to win a match in WC 2011.
New Zealand: Fickle performers!
Individual brilliance like Ross Taylor's against Pakistan won't happen daily and their bits-and-pieces players have to complement each other to be a successful unit.
Pakistan: Hot and cold!
On a Sunday, they beat Sri Lanka but on a Monday, they get seriously challenged by Canada. That's Pakistan for you, the most deserving candidate for the 'Unpredictable' tag.
South Africa: Save us from choking!
It seems Graeme Smith and his boys get scared at the sight of a big win. At least that's what they showed in their ridiculously unsuccessful chase of 171 against England.
Sri Lanka: Still dangerous!
Though they lost to Pakistan at home, Sri Lanka remain a serious title contender with potent batting and bowling lineups in subcontinent conditions.
West Indies: Trying hard!
It might sound harsh but with batting that depends entirely on Chris Gayle and bowling that is modest at best, expecting them to go farther than quarterfinals will be a bit too optimistic.
Zimbabwe: Not improving!
Zimbabwe are finding it difficult to come out of the shadow of political crisis that ruined their team, forcing them to opt out of Tests.
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