WORLD CUP SQUADS: Group A - Kenya

Kenya World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Seren Waters - 20 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Maurice Ouma - 28 - Right Hand Opening Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Alex Obanda - 23 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

David Obuya - 31 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Collins Obuya - 29 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Rakep Patel - 21 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman

 Steve Tikolo - 39 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Tanmay Mishra - 24 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Thomas Odoyo - 32 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers

Jimmy Kamande (Captain) - 32 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

James Ngoche - 22 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Shem Ngoche - 21 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Nehemiah Odhiambo - 27 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Peter Ongondo - 33 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Elijah Otieno - 23 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Kenyan cricket is in a difficult place right now, rather reminiscent of the Australian team. After reaching the spectacular scene of the 2003 World Cup semi finals, by 2007 Kenya had a rather newer but still experienced and promising side. However things have taken an unfortunate turn since, as the lack of top class cricket has drawn many of the last remaining 2003 stalwarts like Ravi Shah, Lameck Onyango and the Suji brothers into retirement or pastures elsewhere. Furthermore, many of the Kenya's clearly talented young brigade have stagnated notably, unable to hone their skills. 

The 2011 squad is a dangerous mix of inexperience and rather advanced age. Six players are making their World Cup debuts, but only five players have any genuine long term international experience. The Obuya brothers may be in their prime, but the same cannot be said for Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo. Tikolo has been a legend of Kenyan cricket, surely their all time most accomplished batsman. However he is now 39 and looked in scratchy form at best during recent warm ups against Indian provincial teams Baroda and Gujarat. However Tikolo and Odoyo do share the special achievement of playing in their 5th world cup, coming full circle after having been part of every one of Kenya's campaigns since their debut on the subcontinent in 1996.

The matches against Baroda and Gujarat, who are lower level teams of vastly inexperienced youth players, did not bode well. Kenya were well beaten in all five matches, putting up little resistance with bat or ball. There were signs however that promising youngsters Walters, Obanda and Patel may have more to offer. Kenya's real problem is in the bowling department and there is every chance they will go for some monumental 400+ scores as they toil hard on flat slow pitches in small regional stadiums throughout the World Cup. Captain Kamande is reliable but hardly penetrating, and the young Ngoche brothers are promising but wayward. The key to Kenya's bowling for the best part of a decade (along with former quick Martin Suji) have been the veterans Odoyo and Ongondo, neither of whom, now in their 30s, have shown any form reminiscent of their former glory days. 

Prediction

I've always had a soft spot for the Kenyans as their play enterprising Cricket, and were a wonderful story at the 2003 World Cup, but I fear they might be in for 5 weeks of pain and hardship. Although they'll want more, realistically their aim has to be winning the grudge match with Canada. If their good days coincide with the bad days of notorious teams like Pakistan, New Zealand and Zimbabwe they could have some extra fun. But anything beyond 6th place with a solitary win over Canada would be a major surprise.

Hosford's XI

Waters, Ouma, Obanda, D.Obuya, Tikolo, C.Obuya, Odoyo, Kamande (C), Odhiambo, Ongondo, J.Ngoche

WORLD CUP SQUADS: Group A - Canada

Canada World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Hiral Patel - 19 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Ruvindu Gunasekera - 19 - Left Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Ashish Bagai (Captain) - 28 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Top Order Batsman

Zubin Surkari - 30 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Rizwan Cheema (Vice Captain) - 32 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Jimmy Hansra - 26 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

John Davison - 40 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Tyson Gordon -  28 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Nitish Kumar - 16 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Harvir Baidwan - 23 - Right Arm Medium Bowler - Right Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman

Karl Whatham - 29 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler - Right Hand Lower Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers

Balaji Rao - 32 - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler

Parth Desai - 20 - Left Arm Orthodox Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Khurram Chohan - 30 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Henry Osinde - 32 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Canada come into this World Cup as the clear minnow of all underdogs, but also with a nice little element of mystery. Only three of the fifteen have previous World cup experience. Medium pacer Osinde was part of the 07 squad although he did not feature prominently. Captain Bagai and long time talisman Davison, who honed his craft in his home town of Adelaide, are Canada's two wily veterans now. 

All manner of political problems have afflicted Canada's World Cup preparation. Davision threatened to leave the party when fellow veterans Ian Billcliff and Geoff Barnett were overlooked because of professional commitments in Europe. Overseas commitments are not a new problem for the Canadians, with captain Bagai also often absent. On top of this, a small portion of the squad face a nervous and rather time-sensitive wait for passports to enter India, and fast bowler Tyson Gordon is awaiting his very citizenship, having emigrated from Jamaica. 

It is an unfortunate side-effect when you take the decision to pack the national team with various expatriates, mostly from India, Pakistan and Australia, as opposed to fostering home grown talent. This is an argument which is at the heart of Canadian cricket.

The exuberance of youth, as well as the comparative anonymity of this Canadian team, even compared to fellow associate countries, could work in their favour, but it is hard to look past the lack of experience when judging the squad.

Prediction

Canada will genuinely fancy their chances. Kenya are in a troubled state and could be there for the taking, and you can always rely on Zimbabwe to fold miserably at certain times. Beyond these two clashes it's the same old story. The nature of the draw means one upset could mean a quarter final. However I find none of this particularly likely. Canada to tail the group. 

Hosford's XI

Patel, Gunasekera, Bagai (C) (WK), Davison, Cheema (VC), Surkari, Gordon, Baidwan, Rao, Chohan, Desai

WORLD CUP SQUADS: Group A - Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Brendan Taylor - 24 - Right Hand Opening Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Regis Chakabva - 23 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Craig Ervine - 25 - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

Sean Williams - 24 - Left Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Charles Coventry - 27 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Greg Lamb - 29 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Tatenda Taibu - 27 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Terry Duffin* - 28 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

All-Rounders

Elton Chigumbura (Captain) - 24 - Right Arm Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler

Spin Bowlers

Prosper Utseya - 25 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Graeme Cremer - 24 - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler

Ray Price - 34 - Left Arm Orthodox Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Christopher Mpofu - 25 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Shingirai Masakadza - 24 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Tinashe Panyangara*** - 25 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

*Edit: Duffin replaces Tino Mawoyo** who was withdrawn due to an abdominal injury.
**Edit: Mawoyo replaces original squad member Sean Ervine who was withdrawn due to personal circumstances.
***Edit: Panyangara replaces original squad member Ed Rainsford who was withdrawn due to an ankle injury.

The World Cup has become Zimbabwe's vital quadrennial showpiece to show their might, now that they no longer play Test Cricket. 2007 was not a happy campaign for the men in red, comfortable victory against World Cup debutants Ireland looked assured before a monumental choke resulted in a thrilling tie. This was the only point Zimbabwe garnered from their three matches, finishing bottom of what many considered to be the weakest group. 

On paper there is no real indication that 2011 will be any better. Although the very public spats with team management have subsided, there is still the sneaking suspicion that the best eleven cricketers in Zimbabwe rarely make it out on the field. Certainly venerable dictator and slaughterer of many Robert Mugabe is never likely to release his stranglehold on the team's operational functions. Nevertheless there is promise in the squad. The experience of Taibu, Chigumbura, Utseya and Mpofu are key to holding the unit together. 

The biggest surprise in the squad is the inclusion of Hampshire all-rounder Sean Ervine, who hasn't represented Zimbabwe since a 2004 political dispute had apparently ended his international career. In turn the major surprise when it comes to omissions is experienced opener Hamilton Masakadza. His performances have been scratchy in recent times, but the fact that no specialist opener as been named instead of Masakadsa raises eyebrows. Who will partner Brendan Taylor at the top of the order is any one's guess, but seems to be out of unproven No.3 Regis Chakabva, out of favour former opener Charles Coventry, and the trusty Tatenda Taibu, who is not a natural opener. (Edit: Sean Ervine's withdrawal has opened a spot for a second specialist opener, Tino Mawoyo, who may be a potential option.) The other question mark over Zimbabwe's final configuration is whether they will play all three front line spinners with Mpofu as the single quick, as has been rumoured. This would surely be unwise. Even in subcontinent conditions at least two quicks are needed, and the third spinner's role can be covered by part-timers Lamb and Williams.

Prediction

There's little money on Zimbabwe to achieve anything of note in the tournament. While I also don't have any great expectations, as ever Group A's friendliness presents opportunities. Zimbabwe should take care of Kenya and Canada (Ireland and The Netherlands would be tougher prospects), and the nature oft he tournament means just one other upset could get Zimbabwe into the quarter finals. This would be a monumental achievement though, expect them to finish 5th in the group.

Hosford's XI

Taylor, Coventry, Chakabva, C.Ervine, Williams, Taibu, Chigumbura (C), Utseya, Price, Masakadaza, Mpofu

PREDICTION OF THE DAY: Australia vs Japan Asian Cup final

Australia's favourite team for heart wrenching tension and suffering, the Socceroos, find themselves 90 minutes (or maybe 120 more likely) from a date in the final of the 2011 Asian Cup. Tonight sees both semi-finals of the dramatic albeit inadequately attended tournament. At midnight old rivals Japan and South Korea face, anybody's game on paper but form suggests Japan might have the edge. A few hours later the Socceroos take on Uzbekistan. They may not be an Asian powerhouse which strikes fear into the hearts like a Japan or Korea, but make no mistake Uzbekistan are a force to be reckoned with, and are genuinely and consistently in or near the best four teams in Asia. Their efforts are in no way a fluke. But the Socceroos should have too much class for their smaller opponents. The question is whether Australia's quarter-final with reigning champions Iraq, a game we dominated but could not win until the closing minutes, will repeat itself. Until the final minutes of regulation time, the Socceroos dominated in every facet of play, but could not open the scoring. It took a spectacular Harry Kewell header from a pinpoint Matt McKay cross to finally put the game to bed twenty-eight minutes into the half an hour extra time period, avoiding a dreaded penalty shoot-out by just two minutes.

Likely Line-up 

Goal Keeper: Schwarzer 

Defenders: Wilkshire, Neill, Ognenovski, Carney

Midfielders: Emerton, Valeri, Jedinak, Holman

Forwards: Cahill, Kewell

The good news for the Socceroos is that all their injury dramas are behind them, save for Jason Culina who has returned home and whom Carl Valeri has more than adequately replaced. Luke Wilkshire and David Carney pulled up well from their returns in the quarter-final, and Tim Cahill is a certain starter despite countless minor niggles. Brett Emerton also boosts the squad, returning from a red card suspension in the quarter final. However Emerton is likely to displace the impressive Matt McKay from the squad. It might be pertinent, if chancy, to really grab the game by the horns and go on the attack by benching Valeri. Instead Socceroos coach Holger Osieck might want to consider a diamond midfield formation with Jedinak in a defensive role, Emerton and McKay on the wings and the gloriously in form Holman up forward providing more support for Cahill and Kewell.

Regardless of the team configuration though, it will take a particularly bad performance, woefully bad luck or a probable combination of both to deny the Socceroos passage to a historic Asian Cup final.

Prediction

1st Semi Final: Korea 1 (Cha Du-Ri 57') vs Japan 1 (Hasebe 83')

Japan win 4-3 on penalties

2nd Semi Final: Australia 1 (Holman 35') vs Uzbekistan 0

WORLD CUP: Group A Squads - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Tillakaratne Dilshan - 34 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman

Upul Tharanga - 25 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Kumar Sangakkara (Captain) - 33 - Wicket Keeper - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

Mahela Jayawardene (Vice-Captain) - 33 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman

Thilan Samaraweera - 34 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Chamara Silva - 31 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Chamara Kapugedera - 23 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Angelo Mathews - 23 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Thisara Perera - 21 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler - Left Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers

Rangana Herath - 32 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Muttiah Muralitharan - 38 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Ajantha Mendis - 25 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Nuwan Kulasekera - 28 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Dilhara Fernando - 31 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Lasith Malinga - 27 - Right Arm Fast Bowler

There are few surprises in Sri Lanka's squad. Of all the teams in the tournament Sri Lanka may arguably have the most settled squad of all. Certainly their top 7 is well and truly settled (although I still have question marks over Silva and Kapugedera). The only questions are over the bowling line-up. In the subcontinent, and with a majority of their matches at home in Colombo, Sri Lanka will surely play two quicks and two spinners, with Mathews as the 3rd pace option. That leaves two questions. 

1. Will Herath or Mendis support Murali as the 2nd spinner? Mendis is the more devastating front line bowler but can be inconsistent. Herath would be the perfect foil to Murali, he is more disciplined and economical, and rather than playing two off spinners, Herath's Left Arm finger spin, turning the ball away from the right hander provides good variety. It is this variety in fact which has earned him a place in the squad at all. Herath is probably the most surprising member of the squad, being picked over fancied young off spinner Suraj Randiv for the sole reason that the off spin monopoly would be broken.

2. Which two fast bowlers will take the new ball. Malinga is likely to be the incumbent, with Kulasekera, Fernando and Perera fighting over one spot. They all have their own advantages. Kulasekera is surely the best wicket taker of the three, but Fernando brings vital maturity and experience, while Perera's batting prowess would create a formidable middle order down to No.8. 

Although it is not exactly a surprise, and surely the only right decision, the announcement of the squad was nevertheless tinged with a certain amount of nostalgic sadness as all time legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas were overlooked. This leaves Murali as the only remaining veteran of their 1996 World Cup success.

Prediction

Sri Lanka's preparation is sound and their squad combines the natural world beating talent of the 90s, with an added experience and maturity. They will fancy their chances of finishing on top of Group A, and have every chance of becoming world champions for a second time.

Hosford's XI

  Dilshan, Tharanga, Sangakkara (C)(WK), Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Kapugedera, Mathews, Kulasekera, Herath, Muralitharan, Malinga

WORLD CUP: Group A Squads - Pakistan

Pakistan World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Mohammad Hafeez - 30 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Ahmed Shehzad - 19 - Right Hand Opening Batsman
Asad Shafiq - 24 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman
Younis Khan - 33 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman
Misbah-ul-Haq - 36 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Umar Akmal - 20 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper
Kamran Akmal - 29 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman

All Rounders
Shahid Afridi - 30 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Abdul Razzaq - 31 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Spin Bowlers
Abdur Rehman - 30 - Left Arm Orthodox Bowler
Saeed Ajmal - 33 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers
Wahab Riaz - 25 - Left Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Umar Gul - 26 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Shoaib Akhtar - 35 - Right Arm Fast Bowler
Junaid Khan* - 21 - Left Arm Medium Fast Bowler

*Edit: Junaid Khan replaces original squad member Sohail Tanvir who was withdrawn due to a knee injury.

Pakistan cricket has been filled with so much strife and disaster in the recent past that it is easy to forget how dangerous they are. For a decade really they have declined from the heights of the 1990s, with particularly painful spikes four years ago during their horrifying World Cup campaign, and in the last year with the still brewing spot-fixing controversy. At the heart of Pakistan's problems is a dysfunctional internal system where politics reigns supreme. Surely of all international teams Pakistan would have the greatest turnover of players from year to year. Therefore it is somewhat surprising that the World Cup squad is so unsurprising. No bemusing bolter has filtered into the ranks, nor has a top class player with qualms with the board found themselves unceremoniously dropped suddenly.

A sixteen man squad is currently playing an ODI series in New Zealand, and with a limit of 15 for the World Cup, the selectors have merely decided to remove one player and stay consistent to the ranks. The unlucky one, after a close fight with Left armer Sohail Tanvir, is up and coming Right am quick Tanvir Ahmed. The consistency of the squad is another sign that in recent months Pakistan cricket has, at least within the playing group, found some semblance of balance and peace. Mind you there remains glaring question marks, principally how a nation can name a squad for a World Cup without a captain. The position is likely between current One Day incumbent but loose cannon Shahid Afridi, and Misbah-ul-Haq who has the maturity and discipline to lead which Afridi lacks, but possesses the small problem of woeful recent One-Day form. Misbah would by no means be a guaranteed pick for any XI. 

What's more, consistency doesn't mean much when it involves staying true to a set of players which is not the best your country can produce. Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamera and Moahammad Asif remain unavailable as they await trial in the spot-fixing case. Former captain and all time great Mohammad Yousuf remains out of favour politically, as do key players Shoaib Malik and Danish Kaneria who have missed out for no good reason.

Prediction

For all its faults, this is a decent team with lots of experience. If the wise old heads Misbah, Younis, Shoaib and Razzaq can hold the unit together, they should make the quarter finals, thanks largely to the friendliness of the group A draw. Once the group stage is over it becomes little more than a lottery in the knockout stages. Pakistan don't have the consistency to win three big games consecutively and become champions, but at their best they can beat anyone and might just take a big scalp or two down with them.

Hosford's XI

Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Asad Shafiq, Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Umar Akmal (WK), Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal

WORLD CUP: Group A Squads - New Zealand

New Zealand World Cup Squad

Batsmen

 Brendon McCullum - 29 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman

Jesse Ryder - 26 - Left Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Martin Guptill - 24 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman
Jamie How - 29 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman
Ross Taylor - 26 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman
Kane Williamson - 20 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
 All Rounders
Scott Styris - 35 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler
Luke Woodcock - 28 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler
Daniel Vettori (Captain) - 31 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler - Left Hand Lower Order Batsman
Jacob Oram - 32 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler - Left Hand Lower Order Batsman
James Franklin - 30 - Left Arm Fast Medium Bowler - Left Hand Lower Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers
Nathan McCullum - 30 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
Fast Bowlers
Tim Southee - 22 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Kyle Mills - 31 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Hamish Bennett - 23 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

New Zealand have pulled a surprise by picking a half-decent side for the World Cup. The Kiwis have had a horror run recently in One-Day Internationals with a thrashing at the hands of India and embarrassing 4-0 series loss to Bangladesh. The selectors, led by former enterprising batsman Mark Greatbatch, have seen reason and finally done away with some of the perpetual underperformers like BJ Watling, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom and Gareth Hopkins. Greatbatch was a vital part of New Zealand's famed 1992 World Cup side which swept all before them on the way to finishing top of the single nine-team group that the tournament consisted of, before a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Pakistan. New Zealand's 92 success came from Martin Crowe's revolutionary tactics based around a plethora of medium pace bowling all-rounders, in what became one of the world's first specialist One-Day teams. This team is of that spirit. Although I've separated the players into their somewhat arbitrary categories, in reality they almost have 15 all rounders. Only Hamish Bennett of the bowlers is a genuine tailender and of the batsman, Ryder, Guptill and Williamson bowl regularly and usefully.

Prediction

New Zealand are unlikely to win the World Cup, but they should pose a genuine threat and make it through to the quarter finals at least. Once there they have the ability on a good day to cause an upset and go even further.

 Hosford's XI

B.McCullum, Ryder, Guptill, Taylor, Styris, Williamson, Vettori, Oram, N.McCullum, Southee, Mills