Ponting (998) is on the verge of passing the 1,000-run mark in World Cup cricket and just seven runs shy of becoming Australia's leading World Cup run-getter. The Aussie captain is in the form of his life, so don't bet against him adding to his current record of three hundreds and two fifties. If he makes runs, the world champions could make it three wins in a row. If he fails, expect the cricket-mad Aussies to call for his head. Who said captaincy was an easy job?

The Dutch skipper has a massive job on his hands and his squad will surely be aiming for a win over Scotland and good performances against Australia and South Africa. The big-hitting 37-year-old does not boast the best ODI record, with a highest score of just 40, but his left-arm medium pace deliveries add to his arsenal. As Ponting, Smith and co. would attest, it helps when your captain leads from the front.

The former England opening batsman gives the Scottish squad some much-needed experience at the top of the order, having played nine One-Day Internationals for England and another 13 for his country of birth. A hard-hitting opener and useful seamer, Brown has been on the county circuit for some time, with Warwickshire even rewarding him with a benefit season after years of loyal service.

This was a tough one, with Kallis earning our vote here ahead of captain Graeme Smith and star bowlers Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. Kallis has done it all - but his World Cup performances, by comparison, have been very disappointing. In 19 World Cup matches, Kallis has scored 438 runs at 36.50 with four fifties. Bowling-wise, he has captured 11 wickets at 46.36, and he has also taken four catches. Kallis can do better. And if he does, the Proteas could just go all the way, too.

Anybody that can score a match-winning ODI hundred against Australia can grip a bat. This bloke can do more than just grip a bit, however, even if his ODI average of 20.36 (after 88 matches, at a strike-rate of 70.33) is a tad disappointing. Make no mistake though, if Ashraful fires India and Sri Lanka could face some resistance and one can only pity newboys Bermuda.

Bermuda-born, but educated in England - in Shakespeare's country - Hemp is an elegant left-hander who averages just over 36 in first-class cricket, having been a regular at Glamorgan for many years. An England 'A' tourist, the 36-year-old will be a crucial man in the Bermuda middle-order.

What more can be said about the 2003 World Cup Player of the Tournament and leading run-scorer in CWC history? A fantastic performer with bat, ball and in the field, he will be playing in his fifth successive World Cup. It will be a two-way race between him and Ponting for the best batsman award this year.

The google-eyed spin wizard could very well bowl his team to World Cup glory, even if the Caribbean pitches, as reported, do not favour spinners. And, of course, provided that his batsmen make enough runs for him to bowl at. Murali could turn the ball on a piece of glass - would you bet against him ending CWC 2007 as the leading wicket-taker?

We're relying on history here and one innings in particular - that 111 from 76 balls against the West Indies at Centurion in 2003. The little-known Davison smashed 6 sixes en route to the quickest-ever World Cup hundred - watch out England, Kenya and the Black Caps, they're a determined bunch, the Canucks. And so is the abrasive Aussie-reared Davison. Also, remember the name Ashish Bagai, he's been in fine form of late.

Freed - hopefully, depending on Michael Vaughan's fitness - of the burdens of captaincy, Flintoff will be hoping to build on a half-decent 2003 World Cup campaign in SA. Along with Kevin Pietersen and to a lesser degree Paul Collingwood, Flintoff holds the key to England's batting hopes, whilst he is their most outstanding ODI bowler, too, and a fine close catcher with those bucket-like hands. It is simple, if he fires, England could just prove that their recent Tri-Series win in Australia was no fluke. Should we also mention KP? Well, let's hope his ribs are ok...

Obuya made a name for himself with some outstanding leg-spin bowling in 2003 as Kenya stunned friend and foe alike by storming into the semi-finals. Sure, some political unrest might have helped their cause, but Obuya's guile and turn went a long way too. Sadly, his bowling has gone a bit south since CWC 2003, but his batting has improved in leaps and bounds and his fielding is another bonus. Maybe captain Steve Tikolo should toss him the ball for old times sake...

Probably the only man that the Aussies genuinely fear, it's great having the Black Caps' star speedster back to full (or some... ) fitness ahead of the World Cup. Sure, the name Bond makes for some great headlines, but those fast, in-swinging yorkers could generate a few headlines of their own, too. Already a veteran of one World Cup campaign, the low, slow West Indies pitches could suit him as he looks to add to his 17 scalps from 2003.

Middlesex middle-order man Morgan currently averages 60 from his first six ODIs, having amassed 360 runs with a highest score of 115. A former Ireland Under-19 captain, the classy left-hander has made some useful scores at second-team level for Middlesex, with many expecting him to join countryman - and England squad member - Ed Joyce as a regular first-teamer in the not-too-distant future. A useful World Cup could just push him to the front of the selection queue - for both club and England.

The obvious man to highlight here would be Mohammad Yousuf, or perhaps even Inzy, or the ultra-reliable Younis Khan. But we have gone for a left-field choice here, much like his selection in the Pakistani World Cup squad. Kaneria has not been an ODI regular for Pakistan in the last three years, but, recognising his wicket-taking abilities, the Pakistan selectors have wisely opted to utilise his talents in the World Cup. He could just prove them right, you know.

Headlines like 'Hurricane Gayle Strikes Again' or 'Gayle Force Winds Take WI Home' have become common-place in recent years, most recently in the ICC Champions Trophy when Gayle inspired his team into the final where they lost to Australia. The problem, however, lies in the hulking left-hander's consistency. His astonishing hundred in the semi-finals against South Africa displayed his skills and abilities to the max (133 runs off 135 balls), his 27-ball 37 in the final illustrated his failings and lack of consistency as his team collapsed around him. His fastish off-spinners add another serious string to his bow.

Of all the so-called World Cup 'minnows', Zimbabwe have probably the most unenviable task, given the state of the game and their nation. So pity young Prosper Utseya, who has been handed the reins of this team... But don't pity him too much, this boy can bowl and then some, boasting an economy rate of 3.97 in 59 matches and picking up 37 wickets in the process. The 21-year-old is the glue that holds this Zim side together.