England, Pakistan and Windies could be the dark horses

Ambushes are not uncommon in the World Cup. Favourites fall by the wayside and new forces emerge. The best side does not always triumph. The team that handles the big moments capably is often the winner. As the competition develops, teams evolve.

Sides lacking consistency but possessing serious ability become a distinct threat once they grow in confidence. Not burdened by expectations, they play a fearless brand of cricket. In fact, these teams can go all the way. They are called the Dark Horses.

When it bucked the odds to emerge victorious in the Summer of '83 in the Old Blighty, India was a rank outsider. Few gave Imran Khan's Pakistan a chance in the '92 World Cup when the cornered tigers staged a comeback of the believe-it-or-not variety to emerge on top down under. And co-host Sri Lanka, marshalled admirably by the canny Arjuna Ranatunga, triumphed in '96.

Subsequently, Australia swept to three successive titles on the biggest stage of them all. Yet this, the most open World Cup since '96, could be very different.

England, Pakistan and the West Indies could be the dark horses in this edition. Fancied teams might be wary when they take on these sides, particularly in the knock-out stages. 

Dangerous side

Even without the banned pace bowling duo of Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif, Pakistan could be a force to reckon with in the sub-continental conditions. When this side plays with passion, it can be dangerous.

Will the mercurial Shahid Afridi be the inspirational leader that Pakistan seeks? Crucially, Pakistan will need to stay united as a team. In the past, the talented side has shown a tendency to implode.

In the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umal, Pakistan has two inventive batsmen of flair. Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq can anchor or pace an innings and heavy-hitters such as Afridi and Abdul Razzaq often alter scripts in the end overs.

Umar Gul is capable of unleashing scorching yorkers of precision at the death and Shoaib Akhtar can still work up speed. Young left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz is sharp while Razzaq is a smart operator when the ball becomes older.

Pakistan, relying on speed and swing, is not without firepower in the pace bowling department. Much hinges on how Afridi's leg-spin combines with Saeed Ajmal's off-spin in the game-changing middle overs. If Pakistan can create the pressure — its probing bowling has to be backed by sharp fielding — it can test most batting line-ups. On the flip side, its own batting has tended to come apart in stressful situations.

England has disappointed since the 1992 World Cup down under. The side has lacked flexibility and options with the selection, on occasions, being bizarre. The emphasis on too many bit and pieces cricketers has undermined England's chances in the past.

The present side has better options of the genuine variety. England was trounced 6-1 by Australia. However, the side could have been fatigued mentally and physically after retaining the Ashes.

Motivated

England's motivational levels for a World Cup it has never won would be far greater than a bi-lateral series after the main course.

Finalist in 1979, '87 and '92, the side would be keen to take the final step this time around. This England team has multi-dimensional cricketers. Men such as Stuart Broad, Matthew Prior, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann provide the side dynamism it has lacked from the mid-90s. The side bats deep, has bowlers who can inflict damage.

With the sub-continental pitches not expected to encourage seam movement, swing will assume centre-stage. This suggests the admirable James Anderson will be under focus. Swann too will be a major factor in the middle overs with his flight, spin and dip.

On the batting front, England has good balance. While the likes of Andrew Strauss can hold the innings together, the quick-thinking, fleet-footed Kevin Pietersen can slice open an attack open with a barrage of strokes. However, the loss of the influential Eoin Morgan due to injury is a major blow to England's chances. The innovative left-hander can lift the run-rate in the end overs.

Optimistic

The West Indies would eye the World Cup with optimism. Relieved from the burden of captaincy, powerhouse Chris Gayle is in the hitting form of his life. Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and the Bravo brothers, Dwayne and Darren, add weight to the batting.

Kieron Pollard, if he can finally find his form for the West Indies, can destroy attacks. But then, Kemar Roach is the only paceman with genuine speed in the line-up. While the likes of Ravi Rampaul and Dwayne Bravo can be handy, another strike-bowler would have enhanced West Indies' chances.

The side's spin bowling, headed by left-arm Sulieman Benn, will be under scrutiny. The West Indies has the batting might. Does it have a bowling unit that can win a World Cup?