The largest world cricket championship is just around the corner. The contenders for this year are all very strong so it would seem it will be a good fight between them all. The Cricket World Cup 2011 is due to be the biggest sporting event of 2011, and it is anticipated that there will be approximately one billion spectators worldwide, the majority of which will be supporting India who are co-hosting this year’s event.  But who can win the title?

Australia are the clear leaders of international cricket. Their achievements are phenomenal. In the last 15 years  they have worked their way to the finals eveyr single year without fail and only ever been beat once in the finals. However this year, Australia look weaker than usual with some of the good players lost. They do on the other hand still have plenty of good players left on the team. This will be Ponting’s last world cup so he’s sure to put on a good show.

India, ranked 2nd by the ICC have always been extremely popular with spectators. This year though, expectations are very high so the team will be under a huge amount of pressure. The team appears to be well set with a good batting order lined up, so India is predicted  to easily at least make the semi-finals this year. Last time India held the world cup, India lost at Eden Gardens with Kambli having a bit of a cry as he played his final competitive cricket game. The last world cup too wasn’t fantastic either as they were out in the first round. This year is their opportunity to wipe the slate clean by winning the Cricket World Cup while hosting the games, which will give them some honour back.

Sri Lanka have never been quite so popular as  India or Pakistan but they are actually a very good team. Sri Lanka are very strong as they do tend to get the odd win in and are renowned for taking on unconventional bowlers. The team all in all are very strong all round, with some amazing batsmen and they couple this with some very strong bowlers. They also have a Mathews who is a real asset to the team all round, and he has really gone to the top in the recent years. Last time the World Cup was hosted in India, the Sri Lanka shocked the crowds when they won, and it wouldn’t be a real surprise is they managed to get another one in the bag.

South Africa might not be well known for the right reasons, but in every world cup in the last 15 years, they have been favoured at the beginning of the championships. This year the team is nicely balanced with quick bowlers and some pretty decent all rounders. The team is made up of some exiting and young but very well experienced cricketers. Their bowling is lead by Steyn, who some might argue is the best fast bowler of our time. With other fast and strong bowlers on the team the attack is very strong and might just get them far.

England, ranked 5th by the ICC have come a long way since they won the T20 world cup. They have a very experienced and strong lead pair with Strauss and the Cook. To back this up they have players like Peterson and Collingwood. Their bowling line up isn’t the best but it’s not too bad, with many of the bowlers performing well in recent years. England may well surprise spectators but it is still pretty doubtful that they will make the finals. But you just never know.