As Abraham Lincoln would have said if the Civil War hadn't killed off cricket in most parts of the US, ``you can't please all of the cricket fans all of the time''. With that in mind, and with memories of the CricInfo365 Commonwealth Games Form Guide (and it was a pity that Zimbabwe never did win that Bronze Medal) from last September, I figured it was time to stick the neck out again and make some bold predictions for this World Cup.

Note: I was planning to use a crystal ball for the occasion, but it kept losing colour and needing a change after the 41st over.

GROUP A

ENGLAND

The host nation. Despite their indifferent form in Tests they do have a sound track record at home in one-dayers, and their players have plenty of experience of one-day cricket at county level. Home ground advantage should be enough to lift them higher than some of the other contenders. There is, however, a World Cup tradition. A tradition that England will make the final - and lose, as they did in 1979, 1987 and 1992. Expect a traditional World Cup second place from England as they make it to their fourth final.

Watch out for: Ian Austin (not that he's hard to miss). Mark Ealham. Graeme Hick to be the leading run-scorer of the tournament.

Prediction: 2nd in Group. Runners-up in final.

INDIA

India have played more one-day cricket than any other country in the past couple of years. Sadly, their form in the last two months gives the impression of overkill. In Sachin Tendulkar they have the best limited-over batsman in the world today - perhaps by a wide margin but his team-mates are too inconsistent. Plenty of potential brilliance in the batting lineup, but when compared to the other teams, will it be enough to see India into the top three of their group?

Watch out for: Sachin Tendulkar (as if you weren't already). Ajay Jadeja. Ajit Agarkar to take an average of 3/55 per game.

Prediction: 4th in Group.

KENYA

They caused the greatest upset in the history of the world cup when they defeated the West Indies in 1996. They upset India in Gwalior almost a year ago. Long may they live with those memories, because they won't come away from this group with a win.. unless Zimbabwe shoot themselves in the foot tomorrow. Some exciting batsmen mean we should see some high-scoring matches.

Watch out for: Steve Tikolo. Kennedy Otieno. Kenya v India to produce the highest number of runs in a World Cup game ever.

Prediction: 6th in Group.

SOUTH AFRICA

The most complete one-day team in the world today... if they remain fully fit. They need to stay away from the rowboats and cut down on the rucks and mauls in net practice. Any team with nine batsmen capable of scoring a one- day hundred anywhere in the order needs to be treated with just a tad of caution by their opponents. The burning question is, of course: will they choke? I think they won't.

Watch out for: Shaun Pollock. Jacques Kallis. Lance Klusener to score the fastest century of the tournament.

Prediction: 1st in Group. World Cup champions.

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka were underestimated in 1996 and won the World Cup. Sri Lanka are being underestimated in 1999. There is a big difference. Sri Lanka had been in red hot form for at least six months leading up to the 1996 championships. Their 1998/99 form has been anything but. However, all the best players from three years ago are still in action, and Arjuna Ranatunga is a captain unlike any other.

Watch out for: Chaminda Vaas. Mahela Jayawardene. Sanath Jayasuriya to win a man of the match award for his bowling.

Prediction: 3rd in Group. Qualify for super six.

ZIMBABWE

They've terrorised India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the past year, and they are just two months out from a series victory against.. um, Bangladesh and Kenya. But they come out of the warmup series with the worst record of any of the twelve nations, losing to Derbyshire and Warwickshire. Thankfully, Derbyshire and Warwickshire aren't in Group A.

Watch out for: Pommy Mbangwa. Neil Johnson. Guy Whittall and his reverse sweep.

Prediction: 5th in Group.

GROUP B

AUSTRALIA

Many people have rated Australia as at least joint favourites for the World Cup. It is hard to understand why. They come into the series without much rest after a long year. Their batsmen have an inconsistency that even India can't match (and they don't have a Tendulkar). And how can a team stacked with mediocre all-rounders expect to go all the way? (Oops, that's England too.) It is the specialist bowlers who will be the Australia's strength in this World Cup, but it won't be quite enough.

Watch out for: Damien Fleming. Michael Bevan. Shane Warne to be the leading wicket taker of the series.

Prediction: 1st in Group. Semi-finalists.

BANGLADESH

Just stepping on the field against New Zealand on Monday will be triumph enough as the cricket world's third most populous nation is represented in the World Cup for the first time. Their history in one-day cricket is not inspiring, but their two victories against Essex and Middlesex give hope for better things. They should beat Scotland, but an upset in an otherwise very strong group seems unlikely.

Watch out for: Akram Khan. Spin twins Enamul Hoque and Mohammad Rafique.

Prediction: 5th in Group.

NEW ZEALAND

Unfashionable, but coming into form at the right time. They have more than their share of potential gamebreakers in the batting lineup, but the bowling appears more brittle. A team that could go all the way to Lord's, or they could look on as Scotland take the winners cheque at Edinburgh.

Watch out for: Craig McMillan. Chris Harris. Chris Cairns to remain fit for the whole series.

Prediction: 3rd in Group. Qualify for Super Six.

PAKISTAN

In excellent one-day form in the months leading up to the World Cup, but need to shake off the recent off-field management upheavals. Lack of match practice during the warmups will not help. A team brimming with natural talent which never seems to click all at once. Capable of lifting the cup, but I don't think they will this time.

Watch out for: Shoaib Akhtar. Saeed Anwar. Ijaz Ahmed to hit the most sixes of the tournament.

Prediction: 2nd in Group. Semi-finalists.

SCOTLAND

Started their warmup to the World Cup with the idea of simulating English conditions in the typically rustic setting of Sharjah Stadium, and losing games to the likes of the Abu Dhabi Select Eleven. Gavin Hamilton is their Ian Botham, but like with Bangladesh, stepping out on the field in their first World Cup game will be the real triumph.

Watch out for: Gavin Hamilton. Gavin Hamilton. Gavin Hamilton.

Prediction: 6th in Group.

WEST INDIES

Returned almost from the dead of a 1-6 loss against South Africa to draw 3-3 with Australia last month. Carl Hooper's sudden retirement was a shock but, frankly, he won't be missed. Consistency of bowling will be their major weakness. I think they will miss the super six.

Watch out for: Ridley Jacobs. Mervyn Dillon. Keith Arthurton to score at least two runs in an innings.

Prediction: 4th in Group.