Part One of a group-by-group assessment of the cricket World Cup. Australia are in a group of extremes. Minnows Scotland and Netherlands should not pose a problem - but South Africa will prove a formidable challenge. Posted March 06, 2007 by Michael Clough

England's big test in their bid to reach the quarter-finals was expected to be Samoa. But Tonga's surprise victory over their South Seas neighbours may have made the job of Brian Ashton's men even more difficult. Posted September 16, 2007 by Donna Gee

How can a team with the league's second-best attacking record have picked up just eight points from 10 games? The answer is to be found at the back. Posted October 29, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty

With just three rounds remaining, eight teams are still vying for semi-final spots. But some of them would need sporting miracles to qualify. Posted May 01, 2008 by James Mortimer

There are three things certain in life: death, taxes and that Canterbury will always look to make emphatic statements halfway through the tournament. Posted March 19, 2008 by James Mortimer