Names to watch at the World Cup

One of the great things about the forthcoming World Cup is that the competition is certain to throw up some new stars - players who at the moment are by no means household names.

For my tips for players likely to make their mark I suppose I'd generally go for more predictable names, so here's a few to look out for once you start watching the action, either live or during the huge amount of TV coverage the tournament is going to get.

India - Sachin Tendulkar. Technically a great batsman and not for nothing rated one of the best two at his trade in the world.

l South Africa - Allan Donald. Has few equals as a superb quick bowler. Will play a huge part if, as I expect, South Africa have an outstanding tournament.

Sri Lanka - Muttiah Muralitharan. Has been the subject of controversy over his action, but is a great exponent of spin bowling.

Pakistan - Saqlain Mustaq. Another great slow bowler, rated the best off-spinner in the world, and in the right conditions a real potential match-winner. To be honest I couldn't start to pick out individuals from Australia, who I fancy as winners if England do not make it.

They have strength in depth right throughout the side. I'm not so sure about the West Indies, particularly in view of the doubts about Brian Lara's fitness, and the retirement of Carl Hooper.

If Lara is at his best he can win any match at any level and there is plenty of other talent, particularly among the quick bowlers.

However, as I've said before, my four tips for the semis are England (who else?), South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.

The World Cup Ball, sponsored by GNI and a major event of my benefit year, goes ahead at the London Hilton tonight.

It promises to be a great night and for me will officially mark the start of the World Cup.

It all gets going with our clash with Sri Lanka on Friday. Sit back and enjoy probably the greatest cricket festival ever seen in this country - and I'll be trying to bring readers the behind the scenes flavour of what's going on over the coming weeks. Opening England's batting is no worry

No-one will want England to triumph more than me once the World Cup starts on Friday, but last weekend I was willing our national side to be beaten.

It would have been a tremendous boost for Essex to have defeated England in the warm-up match at Chelmsford, but we certainly had a good stab at it to lose by one run off the last ball.

Certainly it was a little unusual for me to open the innings as I did that day, but obviously I was delighted with my score of 82.

To be honest, particularly if you lose an early wicket, there's little difference between opening and coming in at my usual position of number three.

It could well be that Stuart Law, Paul Prichard and myself might mix things up and that I'll open on occasions for Essex, but I'd never do it just for the sake of myself getting in first.

We'd only switch if it was thought it would be of benefit to the team - as indeed we did on Sunday.

Ever since David Graveney phoned to tell me that was I being called up to the England World Cup squad to replace injured Mike Atherton I've realised that I'm covering the opening and number three positions.

Places four, five and six are pretty well set and obviously I'd like to think I've given the selectors food for thought with my opening knock against England.

Having said that I think a lot of rubbish is being written about the so-called lack of form of England openers Nick Knight and skipper Alec Stewart.

Both men are very much big match players and I will be very surprised if they don't quickly get among the runs in the World Cup.

There's certainly been no lack of excitement in one-day games at Chelmsford so far and I was particularly delighted that other England hopefuls such as Ronnie Irani, Mark Ilott, Peter Such and Ashley Cowan were able to put in eye-catching performances against England.

Overall, vice-captain Ronnie Irani told me that there were aspects of our play he wasn't happy with against Bangladesh in Saturday's defeat, but there wasn't much to find fault with against England.

Alec Stewart - Nasser reckons the England skipper - pictured during yesterday's nine-wicket victory over Hampshire - is a big match player

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