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Each team has a key game
As the month of February has at long last unfurled, the focus is now entirely on the world cup. In almost everyone's mind the Australians, even though hampered by some injuries, go out favourites. Host nation South Africa has been tagged second favourites. The top teams will acknowledge that but they will not accept it. They will believe of giving it their best to come on top of this feast of one-day cricket, which comes along once every four years.

Every team will take it one day at a time, as they challenge to be crowned World Champions on the 23rd of March. Step one would be to win as many of the preliminary group matches and advance to the super sixes.

New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, Pakistan and England will walk out knowing that it is a matter of performing at best each time they step into the field. They all know that at least two of these teams will ultimately worm themselves into a semi final berth. From then on itís all up for grabs. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka know from past experiences that the adrenaline simply flowed until they clutched the trophy, in 1983, 1992 and 1996 respectively.

But back to the preliminary round and some players made the quotes on what they felt was the key game for their team. The Zimbabwe game gives us a great opportunity to build up some momentum for the rest of the tournament. But Andy Flower is a world-class player who is capable of winning matches on his own. If he gets going then our world Cup could get off to a bad start. Ronnie Irani, England

England will be a crunch match. But our confidence is high after the Nat West final and the Champions Trophy matches Mohamed Kaif, India England is a crucial match for us and probably a must-win situation. Newlands is a flat pitch so itís a case of getting runs on the board and blocking ourselves Waqar Younis, Pakistan.

West Indies have come a long way since we last played them, particularly the young batsman. They maybe a bowler short for South African conditions, but they are very unpredictable and that makes them dangerous. We wonít be taking them lightly Mark Boucher, South Africa.

South Africa is the opening match of the world cup and we want a winning start. But then all matches are key and we want to win every one, whether itís South Africa or Kenya Merv Dillon, West Indies. We have a hard start with the matches against Sri Lanka & South Africa in the first week. But I don’t mind facing Sri Lanka first better in South Africa than in Colombo! Stephen Fleming, New Zealand.

Starting the tournament well is crucial. The first game is an early opportunity to get the confidence going. They will be tough opponents because they have some fine one-day players who are well suited to the conditions Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka.
There is much professional respect and gut feelings expressed in those sentiments. Merv Dillon hit the nail on the head ñ ìAll matches are key and we want to win every one of them!

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