Top 5 pool matches on our radar

For the first month of the Cricket World Cup, teams will battle it out in pool play for eight coveted spots in the knockout stage. Here are five pool matches that are on our radar:

Feb. 16: Ireland vs. West Indies (Nelson)

West Indies have experienced three months of turmoil heading into the World Cup, with a player strike leading to the abandonment of the tour of India and the subsequent axing of former ODI captain Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the final 15-man group headed to Australia and New Zealand. They lost 4-1 in a pre-World Cup series in South Africa and were walloped by England in their first official World Cup warm-up game by nine wickets.

Despite Ireland's history of World Cup upsets, they also arrive limping into their opening Pool B encounter against West Indies. Ireland had a relatively poor acclimatization tour of Australia and New Zealand late in 2014 and are off to a rocky start in warm-up games. They lost by five wickets to a local club team, Randwick Petersham, and then withstood a 179-run thrashing at the hands of fellow Associate Scotland (they were bowled out for 117 in just 27 overs). Whoever wins this game will receive a massive boost of confidence, while an Ireland loss will effectively dash any hope of reaching the knockout stage.

Feb. 22: India vs. South Africa (Melbourne)

The reigning champs take on the favorite to top Pool B in what should be a barn burner at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This is easily the most appealing matchup for neutral teams, thanks in large part to two record-setting batsmen. India's Rohit Sharma will be playing in his first World Cup, but the opener is his team's form player at the moment. In November, he set a record for the highest score in ODI cricket with 264 against Sri Lanka and has followed with centuries against Australia and Afghanistan in two of his past three games.

South Africa can match India pound-for-pound in the batting department. Captain AB de Villiers leads the charge. Last month, he broke the record for the fastest ODI century by smashing his way to triple figures off just 31 balls against the West Indies. Just about the only shot de Villiers didn't try was hitting a six while doing a handstand, but he's got every other trick in the book to leave bowlers looking clueless. Any fan of high-scoring matches will be in for a treat.

Feb. 28: New Zealand vs. Australia (Auckland)

The tournament co-hosts square off at a ground known more for being New Zealand's rugby fortress at Auckland's Eden Park. Kiwi fans will be out in full force for the first of four tournament matches at this iconic venue, New Zealand's largest at a capacity of 50,000. The winner of this match will most likely have the inside track on finishing atop Pool A.

Despite the close proximity of the two countries, it has been five years since Australia traveled to New Zealand for an ODI. Both teams are virtually unrecognizable since then, New Zealand in particular. They have transformed into a chic World Cup pick with the emergence of Kane Williamson. In addition to captain Brendon McCullum and key middle-order batsman Ross Taylor, they have a strong supporting cast and are boosted by an aggressive fielding unit. This game will help decide whether New Zealand are World Cup contenders or pretenders.

March 8: Australia vs. Sri Lanka (Sydney)

Sri Lanka suffered through an injury-riddled ODI series loss to New Zealand just ahead of the World Cup, but at full strength have the best chance of any Asian team to win this World Cup on the road. One of the few bright spots was the continued excellence of Kumar Sangakkara, who ended the series with an unbeaten century in Wellington and will enter the World Cup just 11 runs behind Ricky Ponting for second-place all-time in ODI runs.

As for Australia, they enter the World Cup practically spoiled for choice in team selection. Their depth has been so strong that the current debate is whether they might actually be a better side if injured captain Michael Clarke is unable to win a fitness race and return to the World Cup lineup. One injury Australia could have done without is to fast bowling allrounder James Faulkner. He may miss the early part of the tournament due to a side strain, but his value is so immense as a finisher in the batting lineup that Australia should give him all the time he needs to be ready for the knockout stage.

March 13: Afghanistan vs. England (Sydney)

The tournament's Cinderella story, first-time participants Afghanistan will be keeping fingers crossed that the clock hasn't struck midnight by the time their final Pool A match against England rolls around. While Ireland has history on their side for World Cup upsets, Afghanistan has the most talent of any of the four Associate qualifiers.

England have a penchant for being the upset victim at ICC events, falling to Netherlands at the World T20 in 2009 and 2014 and Bangladesh and Ireland at the 2011 World Cup. After struggling mightily through 2014 under the captaincy of Alastair Cook, England seem to have turned a new page under new captain Eoin Morgan and are playing with greater confidence heading into the Cup.