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World Cup preview: Pool A - England face World Cup hosts in a strong looking group

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland also feature

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01:  Jos Buttler of England is mobbed by teammates Steven Finn and Eoin Morgan after running out Mitchell Marsh of Australia du
Image: England have shown promise under new captain Eoin Morgan but will it mean World Cup success?

With the World Cup a few days away, we give you the lowdown on every team battling for the trophy, starting with Pool A.

(In order of the ICC ODI Rankings as of 3 February 2015. All stats correct as of that date.)

AUSTRALIA

Since 2014: P23 W17 L5 NR1

A photo of the late Australian batsman Phil Hughes is displayed on a scoreboard before play on the first day of the fourth cricket Test match.
Image: The Australian Test team pay their respects to their former teammate Phil Hughes

Four years ago: A frankly unremarkable tournament as they looked to win their fourth consecutive World Cup and fifth overall. They were fresh off a hammering at home in the Ashes and the only team of note they beat was New Zealand before a quarter-final exit to India.

Chances in a tweet: United through the tragic death of former team-mate Phil Hughes. And pacey home pitches will suit their attacking batsmen & bowlers alike.

World Cup squad: George Bailey, Michael Clarke (capt), Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wkt), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.

SRI LANKA

Since 2014: P39 W22 L16 NR1

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Mahela Jayawardene celebrates reaching his hundred in the 2011 World Cup final
Image: Mahela Jayawardene celebrates a hundred in defeat at the 2011 World Cup final

Four years ago: Lost their second consecutive World Cup final after another impressive tournament which saw their top three; Upal Tharanga (fifth), Tillakaratne Dilshan (first) and Kumar Sangakkara (third) all finish in the top five run scorers. Also, Mahela Jayawardene hit a magnificent century in the final against India, but it proved to be in vain.

Chances in a tweet: World T20 win last year halted run of four global final defeats. But can the departing Sangakkara & Jayawardene win that elusive World Cup?

World Cup squad: Dinesh Chandimal (wkt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews (capt), Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara (wkt), Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

ENGLAND

Since 2014: P30 W11 L19

Alastair Cook during the 7th One Day International match between Sri Lanka and England at R. Premadasa Stadium on December 16, 2014 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Image: Alastair Cook leaves the field on what turns out to be his final ODI as England captain

Four years ago: Some impressive wins over South Africa and West Indies, plus a dramatic high-scoring tie against eventual winners India, couldn’t mask over another disappointing tournament with defeats to Bangladesh and Ireland plus a quarter-final drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka.

Chances in a tweet: Another confused but hopeful team, heads to the World Cup without Alastair Cook - dropped as captain two months prior to the tournament.

World Cup squad: Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wkt), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan (capt), Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.

NEW ZEALAND

Since 2014: P25 W15 L7 T1 NR2

NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 03:  Kane Williamson (L) of New Zealand celebrates his century with teammate Ross Taylor during the One Day International ma
Image: Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are both in terrific form approaching the World Cup

Four years ago: Quarter-final win over South Africa was the highlight – playing on their tag as World Cup chokers – by successfully defending a modest target of 221-8 with the Proteas 108-2 at one stage with over half their 50 overs remaining. But with three semi-final defeats across the last four tournaments and six in total, are the Black Caps the real chokers?

Chances in a tweet: Everyone's dark horses before each tournament, is it time this side - with the talent of Taylor, Williamson, Southee, Vettori - deliver?

World Cup squad: Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Brendon McCullum (capt), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi (wkt), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.

BANGLADESH

Since 2014: P18 W5 L12 NR1

DHAKA, BANGLADESH - MARCH 04: Kemar Roach of West Indies celebrates the wicket of Zunaed Siddique during the 2011 ICC World Cup Group B match between Bangl
Image: Another Bangladesh wicket falls as they are embarrassed by the West Indies in 2011

Four years ago: Disappointed on home soil. Sure they beat England, but so did Ireland. And they suffered two heavy defeats to West Indies and South Africa, dismissed for 58 and 78. The West Indies defeat resulted in Bangladeshi fans throwing rocks at the West Indies team bus, thinking it was their team’s. And the loss to South Africa saw them exit at the group stage.

Chances in a tweet: Rely too heavily on Shakib Al Hasan. Banning him for six months in 2014 for alleged 'serious misbehaviour' only highlighted their problems.

World Cup squad: Al-Amin Hossain, Anamul Haque, Arafat Sunny, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.

AFGHANISTAN

Since 2014: P18 W8 L10

Afghan cricketer Mohammad Shahzad (L) plays a shot as Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson (R) tries to catch the ball during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup fifth
Image: Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad hit out as the beat Hong Kong in the 2014 World T20

Four years ago: Didn’t qualify. Have made it to three World T20 tournaments but have just the one win over Hong Kong to show from them.

Chances in a tweet: Gloss has faded since first qualifying for a global tournament in 2010. Played second fiddle to Ireland among the associate nations since.

World Cup squad: Afsar Zazai (wkt), Aftab Alam, Asghar Stanekzai, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Javed Ahmadi, Merwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Nawroz Mangal, Samiullah Shinwari, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani.

SCOTLAND

Since 2014: P11 W5 L5 NR1

16 May 1999:  Gavin Hamilton of Scotland bats during the Cricket World Cup Group B match against Australia played at Worcester, England. Australia won the
Image: Gavin Hamilton impresses for Scotland against Australia in 1999

Four years ago: Didn’t qualify. But have the most World Cup experience – along with Ireland – out of the associate nations, with two appearances. Their first way back in 1999 with a Gavin Hamilton-inspired outfit.

Chances in a tweet: Likely to be winless. Although returning coach Paul Collingwood has set a target of two - hoping one is over his former England team-mates.

World Cup squad: Richie Berrington, Kyle Coetzer, Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross (wkt), Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Preston Mommsen (capt), Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.

You can watch every match of the 2015 ICC World Cup live on our dedicated channel Sky Sports World Cup, starting with New Zealand against Sri Lanka from 10pm on Friday 13 February.

Before then don’t miss our World Cup Preview Show, with Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, from 8pm on Friday on the same channel.

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