Since the 2007 Cricket World Cup is almost on us, it won't hurt to speculate a bit. There have been a few ODI surprises and upsets in the recent weeks; add the injuries to some key players resulting in them in either being rusty or unfit for the tournament, and it looks rather more open than usual. So if you really want to sit back and enjoy a pulsating Final, which two teams do you feel should make it there?

My own choice would be South Africa vs New Zealand. Neither team has won so far and have exciting players in their teams. I feel that if they do get to the Final frontier, they'll go hell for leather to win with no hold barred.

I want to see India and SA fight it out in the final.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

I don't really mind so long as the side is contested by the sides with the best bowlers: I guess that means SA (who could be lining up with Pollock, Ntini, Nel, Langveldt and Kallis in the same side... possibly playing Pakistan (carried by Akhtar, Asif and Kaneria backed by Razzaq + maybe Iftikhar Anjum).

That said... McGrath & co ain't bad...

I dont know about the & co bit. NZ might not agree .

Being English I'd like to see England there.

from a cricketing perspective if the windies got there the atmosphere would be fantastic so i'll go for WI v Eng.

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Mark.

If league tables are any guide to quality of cricket, South Africa v Australia would be the one to go for. Even if they're not a good guide - and they are questionable at best - that's still the one I'd go for. But anything which gives a good game is fine with me: the Kiwis on a run-chase would be watchable, based on recent experience. England on an early flight would be equally watchable (and, notwithstanding the Australian fluke, I think we should prepare for it).

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

West Indies vs anybody else

Much as I'd like to see either England in the final; or Bangladesh v Ireland , neither are really realistic are they?

I have a feeling the final will be between Pakistan and Sri Lanka personally, by process of elimination:

• Australia have injury problems,
• England... 'nuff said,
• South Africa have no quality spinner on probably spin-friendly pitches,
• New Zealand are too reliant on Bond and Vettori (Bond will probably get crocked),
• India don't seem quite right as a side for me,
• No chance for Bangladesh/Zimbabwe and the associates,
• and the Windies are on home soil, and no home nation's ever won.

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"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."
- Ayrton Senna

Sri Lanka might have made it there if they had taken the right Nuwan (Zoysa) instead of the wrong one (Kulasekhara). Also, the usually reliable Maharoof is seems to be off form and Fernando is not really World class. But of course, they have Vaas and Murali and if the latter clicks, anything is possible.

But I don't think Pakistan have the bowling to reach the final. Leaving Sami might have been a mistake. Asif is very talented of course, but Shoaib Akhthar seems to have other things on his mind (and in his body?) these days. Naved-ul-Hassan is getting himself thrashed all over the place and Kaneria might not be the force they hope that he might be.

It would be an all subcontinent final...Ind / SL

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Tendulkar - A gift to the game of cricket

I like your reasoning . For SA you forgot to add WC chokers.

On their day both SL and Pakistan are as good as anybody, just with Pakistan you never know which team is going to turn up, the awful team or the fantastic team.

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Mark.