No favourites in this World Cup : Fletcher

The downfall of Australia has seen the emergence of India, SA and England and these teams are at their peak, remarks Fletcher.

The England coach says there are no clear favourites during this World Cup and it is going to be an open World Cup.

With Australia leading in the pace bowling department, India and Sri Lanka in spin, England, Australia and SA in the all round department, it is difficult to predict a winner.

Anyway this World Cup, like all World Cups, will be marked by tears. All except one team will cry.

The three top teams, according to Fletcher, have their set of strengths and weaknesses. If we appy a SWOT ( Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats ), it is difficult preditct as to who will win the World Cup.

Fletcher also feels that Sri Lanka may be the dark horse of the tournament. " You cant rule out SL. They are always a dangerous side". With Murali and Mendis as spinners, a deadly combination, and with Mahela, Dilshan and Sanga as batsmen, they can create upsets at any time.

The 62 year old coach said , "England can be considered a good athletic side in one-day cricket. And the best part is their confidence is high after beating Australia on their backyard. But they do struggle on the slow wickets of the sub-continent because in England they don't play on those sorts of wickets. Few of the young players might find it difficult to adjust to the conditions here."

About SA, he said they are a huge threat. Australia has just beaten England with their younger players and they also cannot be underestimated.

"SA are undoubtedly going to be huge threat. With playing like Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers in their ranks, they would be a force to reckon with, No one can though never write off Australia ever,"Although claiming that India were the favourites at the moment, Fletcher said that the hosts would be under tremendous pressure to perform on their home ground.

"India are be favorites at this stage. But on their home ground, they would be under enormous pressure. Whether they can handle that pressure would determine a lot of things."

Fletcher remarked that the role of spinners will be crucial on the spin tracks of Bangladesh, SL and India.."I really believe that the spinners are going to be crucial. Also, I think fitness would be a key issue as it's going to be hot there. Adapting to the sub-continent wickets would be another key area as a lot will depend on applying the right techniques," said the master coach.

He said that the success of the IPL is another major factor for psychological pressure on players."The pressure is being added by the success of the IPL. Not necessarily because the Indian players do well in the IPL but because of the mere fact that the cash-rich tournament takes place in India."