World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

The Netherlands: They will be playing their fourth World Cup. Overall, they have played 14 World Cup matches but have won only two - against Namibia and Scotland. However, in the 2009 World Twenty20, they won their opening match against England. This time, as they open their campaign against England in Nagpur can they repeat their 2009 show?

Key men: Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has the experience of playing top flight cricket and will be crucial to the team's chances. Tommy Cooper will also be a vital cog in the middle order.

World Cup record: Played 14, Won 2, Lost 12.

Squad: Peter Borren (captain), Wesley Baresi, Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Tom Cooper, Tom de Grooth, Alexei Kervezee, Bradley Kruger, Bernard Loots, Adeel Raja, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Berend Westdijk, Bas Zuiderent. Coach: Peter Drinnen (Australia)

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

Ireland: Four years ago in the World Cup they took the cricket world by storm by defeating Pakistan in the group stage and Bangaldesh in the Super Eights. From a team comprising three professionals, now they have 13, out of which seven are contracted with English county teams.

Key men: Ed Joyce has the experience of playing for England before deciding to play for his country of birth.

World Cup record: Played 9, Won 2, Lost 6, Tied 1.

Squad: William Porterfield (captain), Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Niall O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, John Mooney, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Albert van der Merwe, Gary Wilson, Andrew White, Ed Joyce. Coach: Phil Simmons (West Indies)

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

Bangladesh: They shocked everybody in the 2007 World Cup by defeating India in the group stage and scalped South Africa in the second round. In the run-up to the World Cup they have been in great form, having just beaten New Zealand 4-0 and Zimbabwe 3-1 in their past two ODI series. On home pitches they can be dangerous with their spin-based attack.

Key men: Left-handed batsman Tamim Iqbal's pyrotechnics are well known. Chance for batsman Mohammad Ashraful to showcase his talent.

World Cup record: Played 20, Won 5, Lost 14, No result 1

Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo. Coach: Jamie Siddons (Australia)

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

West Indies: They are unpredictable and vulnerable as well. Since June 2009, they have managed wins only against Zimbabwe, Ireland and Canada. Tough for them in this World Cup.

Key men: Chris Gayle can be destructive, but has not hit a century since January 2009. Darren Bravo, Dwayne's stepbrother, will be one of the talents to watch out for.

World Cup record: Played 57, Won 35, Lost 21, No result 1

Winners: 1975, 1979

Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh, Andre Rusell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Adrian Barath. Coach: Ottis Gibson

World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

England: Their preparation for the World Cup has been the worst as they lost the ODI series in Australia 1-6. But they didn't field a strong bowling line-up in Australia and several players were injured after winning the Ashes. Last year they won their first world title when they lifted the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean under Paul Collingwood. Can Andrew Strauss guide England to their maiden 50 overs World Cup win?

Key men: Without any doubt it will be dashing batsman Kevin Pietersen, who will be opening the batting with captain Strauss. Pietersen has the ability to destroy any attack on slow pitches of the sub-continent. Ravi Bopara is also a big hitter and will be crucial in the middle-order.

World Cup record: Played 59, Won 36, Lost 22, No result 1

Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright, Michael Yardy. Coach: Andy Flower (Zimbabwe)

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

India: Can they end their 28-year-long wait to win their second World Cup? They certainly are the favourites on home soil. From a destructive batting line-up and swing bowlers to a versatile spin attack, they have all the ingredients that can make them the World Champions. But playing in front of home crowds will certainly put some pressure on them.

Key men: It has to be batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. But Virender Sehwag can't be left out as well.

World Cup record: Played 58, Won 32, Lost 25, No result 1

Winners: 1983

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Piyush Chawla, Ravichandran Ashwin, S. Sreesanth. Coach: Gary Kirsten (South Africa)

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

South Africa: Since their first World Cup in 1992, they are always seen as favourites in every edition of the mega event. This time, however, they are not being seen among the three favourites. Expectation might be reduced, and that should help the 'perennial chokers'. Only four players in their team - Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and Robin Peterson - have the experience of playing in a World Cup and quartet will be the key to the Proteas' chances.

Key men: It has to be Jacques Kallis. The veteran all-rounder is in a great form and has the experience of playing in the sub-continent. Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir will be South Africa's lead spinner. It was only last month that he got South African citizenship and was elegible to play for the national team.

World Cup record: Played 40, Won 25, Lost 13, Tied 2.

Squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk. Coach: Corrie van Zyl

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

Canada: This will be their fourth World Cup appearance, having taken part in 1979, 2003 and 2007. They have won only one match - against Bangladesh in Durban in the 2003 World Cup - but have no chance here.

Key men: The 40-year-old John Davison will be the most experienced player in the team and if he can repeat his 67-ball century against the West Indies in 2003, Canada could well pull one back.

World Cup record: Played 12, Won 1, Lost 11.

Squad: Ashish Bagai (captain), Rizwan Cheema, Harvir Baidwan, Nitish Kumar, Hiral Patel, Tyson Gordon, Henry Osinde, John Davison, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Parth Desai, Karl Whatham, Khurram Chohan, Jimmy Hansra, Zubin Surkari, Balaji Rao. Coach: Pubudu Dassanayake (Sri Lanka)

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World Cup teams: Strengths and key players

Kenya: They surprised everybody by defeating the West Indies when they made their debut in 1996. They also made the semi-final in 2003. But since then, Kenyan cricket has been dogged by match-fixing and corruption scandals. Veteran Steve Tikolo has come out of retirement to guide the team during the World Cup, but head coach Eldine Baptiste and newly appointed fielding consultant Jonty Rhodes have a tough task at hand.

Key men: The 39-year-old Tikolo, a former captain, will be playing his fifth World Cup. The batting will depend on Tikolo, who will be the prime scorer of the team.

World Cup record: Played 23, Won 6, Lost 16, No result 1.

Squad: Jimmy Kamande (captain), Seren Waters, Alex Obanda, David Obuya, Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, Tanmay Mishra, Rakep Patel, Maurice Ouma, Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Peter Ongondo, Shem Ngoche, James Ngoche. Coach: Eldine Baptiste (West Indies)

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