A look at some of the teams and what makes them contenders

A look at some of the teams and what makes them contenders

SRI LANKA: One of the best team combinations required for subcontinent conditions. Can be very dangerous at home and that's where they play five of the six league matches.

Malinga's pace and ability to reverse swing, Matthews' ability to swing the ball and keep things tight and Murali's variety gives them a great chance. Add Dilshan. Sangakkara and Mahela's flair and what have you, a heady concoction to go one step better than 2007.

INDIA: Happen to be one of the strongest teams for the World Cup and clear favourites. Yusuf Pathan blends the line-up with all-round abilities and if only India can dispel injury fears, they head the list.

SOUTH AFRICA: One of the strongest in the batting department and they have a good pace attack too. But pace alone won't count for much on the subcontinent and South Africa certainly lack the bite when it comes to quality slow bowlers.

AUSTRALIA: The Aussies come to the tournament with a tag attached firmly on reputation. The batting order is in poor form and they travel with just one spinner. The team has a good pace attack to boast of but there are injury scares aplenty.

ENGLAND: T20 win last year was a shot in the arm but the 50-over format is where England have consistently underperformed. Recent showing against Australia and South Africa should hold them in good stead but subcontinent conditions will test them.

PAKISTAN: Young team selected in the aftermath of recent controversies. Pakistan will ride in to prove many things. But there are new faces bringing in a whiff of fresh air. They won't be favourites, but that's when they're dangerous.

NEW ZEALAND: Perennial under-performers though individually, there are big names to look at. Daniel Vettori's team however has lacked the gameplan to excel in the subcontinent as the 0-4 and 0-5 drubbing at the hands of Bangladesh and India respectively proved.

WEST INDIES: Certainly have a good batting order and pacers who have impressed. But West Indies last played an ODI in June 2010. Apart from being out of touch for seven months now, the team has consistently been erratic.