There are 16 teams in the tournament and 8 of them are ranked a different class than the other 8. So every time this event comes to life, they say a 'great shock' will occur. So this year, we have the 3 stronger of the bottom 8, that is Zimbawbe, Bangledesh and Kenya. They will have the best chance of upsetting one of the big 8 and making through the the super 8 section of the tournement.

Then there is the other 5. Netherlands, Ireland, Bermuda, Canada and Scotland. Now if they were to beat a big 8 team, that would go down as a real shock, infact, if they were to win a game against Bangledesh, Kenya or Zimbawbe than it would be a shock.

Out of these teams, Bangledesh are most likely to cause an upset especially as they can boast they beat the current World Champions since the last world cup. Also, Zimbawbe, Netherlands and Bermuda might have half a chance with Zimbawbe always looking be competitive, Bermuda being close to home, so they will have the support and Netherlands because Australia look like they could slip up to anyone. They have high standards to meet Australia, after going undefeated in the last world cup, the pressure will be on. No pressure on Netherlands, just a bit of fun. Plus, Aussies bowlers don't look so hot, so there is half a chance that one of the dutch batters might pile on a decent score.

I don't see any of the second eight getting close to the top eight: the only room for upset is if one of the top eight have a complete shocker (generally underperforming with casual dismissals, dropped catches, lots of wides and perhaps reliance on occasional bowling as a frontline bowler pulls up injured).

The sides most likely to implode strike me as England (especially if Vaughan is absent), Pakistan (missing Shoaib, Asif and Razzaq) and possibly the WI (some young players, stacks of pressure at their "home" tournament).

Scotland might in the first game yet. Their current losing streak is'nt as big as the opposition, and they play the game for true passion rather than the fame, notoriety and lifestyle rewards.

However bad their bowling is,The Netherlands getting close to Australia is very unlikely.If there were to be an upset,it would probably be Bangladesh beating India or Sri Lanka.

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Karthik Venkatesan

I agree, although I feel that the West Indies will only go out after a fight in the 'Super 8' stage. For me, the team from the 'also rans' that is most likely to cause an upset is Kenya......and they are in the same group as England!

Ireland vs ZImbabwe. I pick the Irish to pull off an upset....

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Nobody has a batting stance quite like the mighty Shivnarine....

Considering the shambles that the Zimbabwe team has been for the past few years, that hardly counts as an upset!

Yes, lets not forget that its a Canda batsman that holds the record for the fastest century in the world cup.....that too against the West Indies. Most of the top 8 teams would look to experiment a bit against these lesser teams. If those experimemts backfire and the lesser team plays a bit sensibly, an upset is most likely. We saw so many upsets in the last world cup. We saw quite a few top-teams couldnt make it to the second round. A fully equipped Pakistan, with Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib got knocked out at the first lever where Kenya advanced into the super six. We might well see some upsets this time.

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

Actually, Kenya made it to the Semi-Finals in 2003 but admittedly were helped by the boycotts and some of the higher teams getting knocked out early. They may not get that far this time, but they do play brave, freewheeling cricket, particularly on the field. England and New Zealand cannot take them for granted.

Kenya could be the surprise side again.