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

Both men have made comments that were best left unsaid. They should take guard again and play with a straighter bat in future. Posted March 16, 2007 by Budhaditya Roy

With a big assumption that Australia reach the World Cup Final, it's debatable which team they would want as their opponents. Posted April 20, 2007 by Rajesh Kumarasuriyar

But after the Harbhajan Singh, Andrew Symonds and Steve Bucknor affair in Sydney, and the ICC's capitulation to the Indians, it's hard to summon up any sympathy for anybody, especially the captain. Posted January 10, 2008 by Hamish McBrearty

The Aussie captain may well have a fabulous average of 59 but he continues to struggle against spin. Until he masters Muralitharan, Kumble and Co he will remain the unfinished article. Posted November 23, 2007 by Soma Sundara Rajan