Aussies favourites, India dark horses

England

The victory laps in the Commonwealth series notwithstanding, a distressing ring prevails around England. Paul Collingwood is the knight in the not-so-resplendent armour.

Nobody knows who will lead the side eventually. Michael Vaughan has time and again got under the surgeon’s scalpel. Andrew Fintoff is too precious to be entrusted with any other responsibility, while Andrew Strauss has been painted into a corner.

The attack lacks penetration. On slow and low tracks, Sajid Mahmood, Liam Plunkett and James Anderson could be nuked to their knees.

If Flintoff can find even a semblance of the form (in his dual roles) that deserted him since Ashes 2005, England may do well.

They are starting to understand the realities of modern-day cricket. It is showing a little in their fielding.

Batting is their best bet. Ian Bell lends solidity; Ed Joyce is shaping up admirably. Although Paul Nixon brings the much-needed dash lower down the order, the longish tail is a major worry. Remains to be seen how far it will impact the team. Sri Lanka, for instance, didn’t really need its lower order to fire in the 1996 World Cup.

The molten lava that answers to the name Kevin Pieterson must explode if England wants to compete. But will his ribs and form pull ahead?

Support staff hasn’t reaped raves. Mentally, they don’t stand level with any side. Known to be poor travellers. A tectonic shift in fortunes seems unlikely.