He has said that his year out of the game made him resolve to make up for lost time. He began that mission in earnest against England

Coming off a tense World Cup win, an escape in the Ireland Test, and battling top-order problems, are they in the right frame of mind to take on Australia over seven weeks?

Astonishing, unprecedented, lucky, smart, brilliant, unlucky, flattering, faltering, preposterous - the World Cup final was all that and more

Which one will end up holding the trophy come Sunday evening?

They have waited a long time for this, and made it through to the pointy end after a few wake-up calls. Never have they had a team better equipped to achieve glory

This week at the World Cup, our correspondent has a few tense moments during the England v India match and stumbles on a bit of family history

This week at the World Cup, our correspondent gets to hang with some legit artists, and turns off the TV just before Carlos Brathwaite gets going

Our diarist watches three batsmen take centre stage in the World Cup

Our commentator-columnist gets starry-eyed around two batting greats and wades into the de Villiers debate (while also getting in a round of golf in between)

Plenty of action (and wining and dining) for one commentator as the World Cup kicks off

What will this edition of the tournament bring?

They are still an exceptional team, but they need attention to detail and sensible application when confronted with problems

Joe Root prefers his players express themselves rather than retreat into their shells; the interpretation of how to do so is critical

Arthur has had a storied coaching tenure with three of the world's top teams now

Dare we say that this is the West Indies revival we've been waiting for?

The two stalwarts have showed that there still is some gas in their tanks

Pitches and over rates matter. Spectators must feel that their attendance is valued

Dale Steyn has put behind him the shoulder injury that kept him out of the game for two years and is ready to stake his claim as South Africa's greatest fast bowler

His passion and commitment are a lesson for all. He is the very model of a modern batsman when he needs to be and the best example of an ancient art when that skill is required

His decisive leadership has manifested itself in a number of admirable ways