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As a part of the consistent analysis on the Pools of the upcoming World Cup Cricket 2007, now I am going to write on the Pool C where New Zealand, England, Kenya and Canada will play to each other. Pool C is different from the other pools in terms of the world cup success of its participating teams. Pool C is the only pool where none of the teams had won the world cup yet and among the four teams, only England has the experience to play in the world cup cricket final. Now, considering these things if you think that pool C will create less excitement then you will make a great mistake. This is also the only pool which includes three former semi-finalists- England, New Zealand and Kenya. So, I think pool C may cause some memorable upsets. However, it is true that New Zealand and England are the favorites to go in to the Super Eight stage from this pool.

First, let’s have a look at the minnows of the pool C- Kenya and Canada. Kenya reached the semi-final of the last world cup in 2003 and Canada became third in the last ICC Trophy 2005. Yes, in paper, they are weak teams and have little chance of causing any upset. Though Kenya got tremendous success in the last world cup, they can not be considered as a dark horse this time at the Caribbean considering their performance in the last four years. Canada played their first world cup in 1979. However, from 1983 to 1999 they could not qualify for the world cup and finally in the last world cup in 2003, they appeared for the second time. Canada made an upset in the world cup 2003 beating the test playing nation Bangladesh. Canadian batsman John Davison made a history in the last world cup scoring the fastest ever hundred in the history of world cup against West Indies. Davison played in the domestic cricket in Australia. This all rounder scored highest runs and took highest wickets for Canada in the last world cup in South Africa. Ashish Bagai, the wicket keeper-batsman of Canada, I think, is the best wicket keeper batsman among the ICC associate countries. This talented wicket keeper played for Canada U-19 when he was just 15 and he played for the national team when he was just 17. This young cricketer is now the star among the minnows of the cricket world. Recently in the ICC World Cricket League 2007, he scored 345 at an average of 86.25 with two centuries and became the Player of the Tournament. I think he will be the most significant performer for Canada in the world cup. Moreover, all rounder Sunil Dhaniram, fast bowler Henry Osinde and Umar Bhatti, batsman Ashif Mulla and Ian Billcliff (the third highest run scorer of the last ICC Trophy 2005) can play a vital role for team Canada.

I have full sympathy for team Kenya. After reaching the semifinal of World Cup Cricket 2003, Kenya could not sustain its success. Sometimes, I really feel sorry for their captain and Steve Tikolo who, I think, deserves to be a test player. As an all rounder, he will be vital for Kenya in the coming world cup tournament. Collins Obuya was the most significant performer for Kenya in the last world cup taking 13 wickets. Following such performance, he got a contract with the English county Warwickshire for one year, a rare feat among the Kenyan cricketers. Now, he can also serve with his bat as he is now used to play at the middle order of the batting line up. Among the young players, left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya, batsman Tanmay Mishra, wicket keeper come opening batsman David Obuya can play a vital role for Kenya in world cup cricket 2007. Peter Ongondo and vice Captain Thomas Odoyo may be crucial with the new ball. However, though they have some potential cricketers, it would barely be possible for them to repeat the performance of the 2003 world cup.

Now, regarding the two cricket powers of the pool C- New Zealand and England, my opinion is that both of them have the potential to win the world cup but the only problem is their lack of consistency. New Zealand is always a favorite team in any international tournament but has not won any world cup trophy yet even though they reached at the semi-final for four times. However, having made Australia a white wash in the recent Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2007, New Zealand team is now in a good form. Here, it is noteworthy that in the last two matches of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2007, they won the matches chasing 336 and 346 against Australia. I do not think that any other team could defeat Australia this way in ODI cricket. So, just imagine where their confidence level now exists! I think it is their veteran captain Stephen Fleming who will play the most significant role for New Zealand. However, their batting line up will be more vital for the opponent teams. Almost all of their leading batsmen are now in an excellent form. Middle order batsman Craig McMillan, wicket keeper batsman Brendon McCullum, young batsman Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton are now in their top form. Now, just add the name of Jacob Oram, the experienced all rounder. So, you do not need to think twice to assume the strength of the batting line up of New Zealand cricket team.

As for the bowlers, Shane Bond, one of the leading fast bowlers of present time, will be dangerous for any batsman in the world cup. Moreover, Daniel Vettori, the best left-arm spinner at this time in the world cricket, may play a significant role in the slow wickets of some of the Caribbean venues. Daniel Vettori is now the number 4 ranked and Shane Bond is now number 7 ranked bowlers in the ODI ranking. So, you can have a good idea about depth of the team’s batting.