West Indies with point to prove

Best performance: Winners 1975, 1979
2003:Group stage
Price:17/2

Fallen from the heights of their 1970s and 1980s - and even through to the mid 1990s - West Indies have been dismissed as contenders for the past decade but on home soil and with a point to prove, they will fancy their chances.

They have only won nine of their past 20 matches but in one-day cricket at least, things have been improving for West Indies in recent times and they will be going all out to impress in front of their home crowds.

With Brian Lara in their side, they always have the ability to upset the odds, but what makes this West Indies side different to those of recent years is that the other batsmen have been coming through when he doesn't make runs.

Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels - pending an investigation into rumours of a gambling link - are all classy batsmen, while in the bowling department, Corey Collymore, Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Bravo, they have strength in depth.

Their fielding has also improved immensely and providing they can handle the pressure of being at home, they should so well.

Player to watch: Chris Gayle
It was hard not to put Brian Lara in here but Gayle has really come of age in the past 12 months.

Always a destructive opening batsman, his average is up to almost 39 and in his past 20 matches, it is on the up all the time and he appears to be eliminating a little of the recklessness that has cost him his wicket in the past.

When he sets the tone at the top of the innings, it gives the rest of the batsman the time to play themselves in and take their time, which makes a massive difference.

Prediction:
Semi-finals
Home advantage and a point to prove will make them dangerous but they may fall just short of the final.