The openers have been very disappointing and the top order has been very inconsistent but at least one or two players have been able to respond at vital periods. There have been some useful contributions down the order from Moin and Wasim, but they will need to get their batting in order.

Saqlain, Wasim and Shoaib have combined well and look very threatening. Pakistan's encounter against South Africa on Saturday promises to be a great showdown, worthy of a grand final, with the winner having a psychological advantage if they are to meet again in sudden death. The Australians scrapped into the `Super Six' in unconvincing fashion but they cannot bediscounted. They have shown the fighting qualities when the odds were against them. The loss to New Zealand and then to Pakistan would have worried them, but to beat the West Indies, under adverse conditions was impressive. Their batting has been a concern. The inclusion of Tom Moody has made a big difference to the balance of the team because he bats and bowls well. Glenn McGrath has been given the new ball again and he relished the opportunity with a career best 5/14 against the West Indies. Damien Fleming has picked up wickets in every game and Shane Warne is almost back to his best and looks threatening, but his temperament is being challenged. The Australians go into the next round knowing that they need to get an early win so the match on Friday against India is crucial for both teams. The New Zealanders will be delighted to make the grade. They have been the quiet achievers of the tournament. With two points carried through they now need to target India and Zimbabwe.

Their openers are a cause ofworry. The experienced Roger Twose has been a life saver in two important matches but the middle order however still looks brittle. The Kiwi strength has been in their bowling and in their fielding. Geoff Allott is the tournaments leading wicket taker with 15 wickets and has bowled very well, invariably picking up wickets with the new ball. Dion Nash has been very steady and Gavin Larsen, as ever, accurate and economical. The fifth bowler however, still remains a problem. The West Indies fell victim to the rules of the Net Run Rate going against them. They had easy wins over Bangladesh, Scotland and New Zealand but their downfall was being bowled out for 110 against Australia. Ridley Jacobs excelled in the opening role averaging 102.5 from 205 runs scored but he had little support from the others except from Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Even the great Brian Lara had an ordinary tournament. Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh bowled superbly.Scotland and Bangladesh were expected to bow out early. Their big match waswhen they played each other, with Bangladesh winning a close encounter. However, Bangladesh did cause a flutter when they beat Pakistan in the last match of the round. The irony was that their victory came when they had sacked their coach Gordon Greenidge prior to the match. After winning two World Cup matches and gaining four points, they will be pursuing the right to be recognised as a Test playing nation.

Somehow I think they still need more one-day exposure before the big Test.