By Martin Gough

Which teams look like legitimate World Cup contenders with a year to go before the opening game in the Caribbean?

ICC rank 1st
Odds 2-1

The winners of the last two tournaments have shown weak spots but no other side has threatened them consistently.

Ponting's men are favourites for their third successive title

Seven of the players who beat India in the 2003 final are likely to play the opening game against Zimbabwe.

They have clearly struggled to find new blood, especially among the bowlers, with only Brett Lee stepping up.

But their batting line-up, arguably the strongest ever, can easily out-score opponents even after a poor start.

From MildRoastNesCafe:
Aus will go in as favourites, but not by much. Definitely not as strong as previous years, though such is their depth they will do well. The slight edge for the Australians could be the 'never say die' ethos.

ICC rank 2nd
Odds 7-1

Graeme Smith's men veer from wonderful to awful in the 50-over game, with much depending on the form of their captain.

Big-hitting all-rounders Justin Kemp and Shaun Pollock are ideal at building on a platform but not so sound staging a recovery after early wickets.

They lack consistent back-up bowling behind Pollock and Makhaya Ntini.

But that did not stop them pulling off a five-match one-day series whitewash in the West Indies a year ago.

ICC rank 3rd
Odds 10-1

Under coach John Bracewell the Black Caps' Test form has suffered but their one-day cache has soared.

As they showed during December's series against Australia, their explosive batsmen are able to match the best.

Only the injury-prone Shane Bond, though, is able to dominate opposing line-ups and his presence is crucial.

Also against New Zealand is their schedule, with no one-day games between March and September this year.

From JivinJeffJones:
New Zealand work really [well] as a unit. I'm not convinced that the team they are putting on the field now is better than the one they put on the field at the last WC, though.

ICC rank 4th
Odds 7-1

A new-look side under coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid could reach their second successive final.

Chappell and Dravid have overhauled the India side

The team that won in Pakistan last month showcased an explosive batting line-up, with Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Dhoni outshining their older team-mates.

Their fielding has also improved greatly, with more commitment.

Injuries continue to beset their pace bowlers, though, with Irfan Pathan their only regular.

From theresonly1sachin:
India have many different type of players like Sehwag who would attack from the first ball, with the experience of Sachin, the backbone and stability of Dravid, and youth of Yuvraj and Kaif.

ICC rank 5th
Odds 6-1

Pakistan had won 10 of 11 games, including a three-match whitewash in the West Indies and England's visit, until India ambushed them 4-1 at home last month.

An injury-hit pace corps, with Shoaib Akhtar the highest-profile casualty, has not helped their cause.

And back-up bowlers struggle for consistency as they are moved around.

Pakistan have a group of amazing batting talents needing to be harnessed properly to really capitalise.

ICC rank 6th
Odds 5-1

Their Test team is officially second-best in the world but the one-day side lags way behind and is inconsistent.

Vaughan's one-day form is a worry for England

The overwhelming focus on Tests will not change in 2006/07, with the Ashes directly preceding the World Cup.

Their batsmen seem to struggle to pace innings, not helped by captain Michael Vaughan's average of 28.36 in 74 ODIs.

And they must find a second all-rounder to complement Andrew Flintoff in the shorter form of the game.

From notoriousone:
England are vastly overrated. A lot of people put them as one of their semi-finalists, although they have done nothing of note recently. A lot rests on Pieterson and Flintoff to not only score runs but at an astronomical rate.

ICC rank 8th
Odds 10-1

South Africa's failure ruined the last World Cup and another dismal home showing could blight this tournament if the West Indies' fortunes do not improve.

Off-field strife, including a player strike, has played a part as they have lost 19 of 24 one-day games since their ICC Champions Trophy victory in 2004.

There are plenty of pace bowling prospects but no one has stepped up.

And to compete they must persuade Brian Lara to return to the one-day arena.

From Kensington-Oval:
WI are dark horses if everything clicks. An explosive batting line-up with great fielders in Smith and Bravo. They have a very good all-rounder in Gayle and a useful bowling attack, but home pressure will be a factor.

ICC rank 7th
Odds 14-1

Q&A - Windies World Cup chief executive Challenges to face with a year to go

Despite their current ranking, Sri Lanka are one of the form sides of the moment, having beaten Australia twice in their own backyard last month.

The side is ageing and still heavily reliant on opener - and 1996 World Cup star - Sanath Jayasuriya.

But any one of their top order could turn a match, especially big-hitting wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

Their stifling slow bowlers could also prosper in Caribbean conditions.

Zimbabwe - ICC rank 9th Odds 250-1
Kenya - ICC rank n/a Odds 250-1
Bangladesh - ICC rank 10th Odds 500-1

Bangladesh, Kenya and Zimbabwe qualify automatically but none are likely to progress as far as the second round.

Zimbabwe have lost 29 of 33 ODIs since captain Heath Streak's sacking, their team now woefully inexperienced.

Kenya beat Zimbabwe twice recently in the 2003 World Cup semi finalists' first ODI series in three years.

Bangladesh are the dark horses of the three, having proved against Australia last year they can upset anyone.

From notoriousone:
Bangladesh are improving all the time but whether it will be enough to even make the Super Eight remains to be seen. Maybe in the one after though, as their youth teams seem to be doing well.

Holland - Odds 1000-1
Scotland - Odds 1000-1
Ireland - Odds 1000-1
Canada - Odds 1000-1
Bermuda - Odds 2000-1

Because of the new tournament format, none of the associate members are set to follow Kenya's surprise 2003 route.

Holland are playing in their third World Cup, their second in succession, while Canada are back for more.

Bermuda and Ireland are making their first appearances on the big stage.

But Scotland, who have played regularly against county sides in the last two years, proved themselves best of the five minnows by winning the ICC Trophy.

Odds from Totalbet 10/3/2006