SWAT ANALYSIS OF QUARTERFINALS PLAYING TEAMS

Team - South Africa
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Delhi Beat West Indies
Mohali Beat Netherlands
Chennai Lost to England
Nagpur Beat India
Kolkata Beat Ireland
Mirpur Beat Bangladesh

Strengths - South Africa have looked a very good all-round team and they have been far ahead of most teams with the way they have jelled as a unit, the way they have bowled in the death overs, the way they have fielded and the way they experimented with some calculated moves. With Lonwabo Tsotsobe proving his worth in the only game he played, their bowling depth was out in full force and is only likely to add to the woes of opponents.

Weaknesses - South Africa's biggest problem before coming to this world cup has been the 'chokers' tag and unfortunately that is one aspect that hasn't spared them in the 2011 world cup. Against England, chasing a modest 172, the Proteas choked and in the process also exposed their vulnerability against quality spin.

Opportunities - South Africa are on a roll at this moment and look well set going into the quarterfinals. After all, a team doesn't get into the knockout stages with the tag of favourites just like that. Playing against a weakfish New Zealand in the last eight clash, South Africa are well placed to make the semi final stage quite easily. The Proteas will use spin at the top of their bowling order once again to try and finish the contest in less than 20 overs.

Threats -Complacency and ability to handle pressure. Barring the game against England, Graeme Smith's team have not been pushed to the corner so far and when they actually are, how will they respond will be a million dollar question. Batting form of Smith and Kallis is a matter of concern. Ross Taylor could be another threat for the Proteas as was discovered by Shahid Afridi for Pakistan during the Group A encounter.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 80%

Team - India
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Mirpur Beat Bangladesh
Bangalore Tied with England
Bangalore Beat Ireland
Delhi Beat Netherlands
Nagpur Lost to South Africa
Chennai Beat West Indies

Strengths –Easily the best batting outfit in this tournament despite a few hiccups from time to time. Such has been India's dominance with the bat that their average score in this tournament while batting first has been over 300, which is the best for any, team in this world cup so far. Depth in batting and more importantly formbook makes India a potent batting force going into the last eight.

Weaknesses – Bowling and fielding has been way below par for India. Going into the knockout stages, India need to pick up their intensity in both these departments by many notches. Fitness problems for Sachin and Sehwag could also hurt India in the knockout stages. And in the batting department, India have made a mess on more than an occasion. 9 for 29 collapse at Nagpur followed by 7 for 50 at Chennai is a seriously weak link of Indian middle order getting exposed.

Opportunities – Unlike the last 3 editions, no team is being considered odds on favourite to win the world cup this time around. India will be playing their QF match against Australia, who have just seen their morale slip down to a new low after being beaten for the first time in 34 world cup games. Ashwin's incisive bowling in the only match he has played has spurred on Harbhajan Singh in the latter half of the same match and the duo playing together on a slow and dusty Motera gives India the right medicine.

Threats – India's poor ODI record at Motera. India have won only 30% of their matches at this venue. Add to this poor bowling and fielding. Brett Lee and Australia's bowling and fielding also has big potential to inflict serious damage on the Indians. Australia's defeat at the hands of Pakistan couldn't have come at a wrong time for India. They are now wounded tigers and India will need to be on top of their game.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 60%

Team - England
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Nagpur Beat Netherlands
Bangalore Tied with India
Bangalore Lost to Ireland
Chennai Beat South Africa
Chittagong Lost to Banglades
Chennai Beat West Indies

Strengths - Never-say-die attitude of this English side has been their biggest asset that has seen them reach this far in the tournament. England were on the brink of elimination but great bowling in crunch situations and decent fielding helped them to stay alive.

Weaknesses - Batting and bowling has been a big problem for England in this tournament and they have been often bowled out for fairly modest totals and their bowlers have conceded way too many runs especially while bowling first. It is almost like England have been good only defending totals where there has been plenty of assistance for bowlers.

Opportunities -The fact that England were on the brink of elimination after 41 overs in their last group fixture against the West Indies now puts them in a situation where they have nothing to lose. Nothing much is expected of the English side now and that could serve as a blessing in disguise.

Threats - England are playing against a rampant Sri Lanka at Colombo. The Lankans have lost only one game and proved they can be dangerous at home. Muttiah Muralidaran has been getting back to his best and he could be the biggest threat for England on the Premadasa track, which is known over the years to assist tweakers.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 35%

Team - West Indies
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Delhi Lost to South Africa
Delhi Beat Netherlands
Mirpur Beat Bangladesh
Mohali Beat Ireland
Chennai Lost to England
Chennai Lost to India

Strengths - Explosive batting abilities of a few individuals can turn the game upside down. Chris Gayle showed glimpses of his potential in the match against England while Pollard seems to be setting himself up. The big surprise packages have been Devon Smith and Andre Russell.

Weaknesses - Batting collapses. Ask anyone and they will tell you why West Indies are the masters of losing from winning situations. Not a complete unit yet and have been exposed big time against quality spin bowling. Over-dependence on Gayle and Pollard is putting enormous pressure on the outfit.

Opportunities -Mirpur is expected to be batsmen's paradise and is not expected to offer spinners as much purchase as their venue of the last two matches, Chennai did. That could help West Indies give it a real fight. The unpredictable nature of this Sammy outfit also makes them the most dangerous. If Gayle can get going, West Indies will always be in with a chance in any match and against any opposition.

Threats -lack of self belief is a big dampener for this West Indies unit. The fact that they get themselves to such winning positions and then throw it away is a huge threat especially given the knockout nature of the remainder of the tournament. With West Indies playing, no match is won for them till the last run is scored, literally speaking. Afridi can also be a massive threat.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 35%

Team - Pakistan
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Hambantota Beat Kenya
Colombo Beat Sri Lanka
Colombo Beat Canada
Pallekele Lost to New Zealand
Pallekele Beat Zimbabwe
Colombo Beat Australia

Strengths - As always, when the going gets tough, the tough get going is a phrase that is once again proving to be tailor-made for this Pakistani line-up. After battling all the scandals and captaincy issues prior to the world cup, Pakistan have looked a compact unit and have been less dependent on individuals. Their spin bowling has been near perfect and that will be their biggest strength going into the knockout stages.

Weaknesses -Batting has been a problem for Pakistan. They were off the money against ordinary bowling attacks like New Zealand and Canada and even against the Aussies, huffed and puffed in pursuit of a meagre 177. If any team can bat first and notch up 275 to 300, Pakistan will be in big trouble.

Opportunities - Playing West Indies at Mirpur will be a big advantage for the Pakistanis to make it to the semi final for the first time since 1999. As Pakistan is not a joint host, Bangladesh crowd is likely to root for Pakistan in the quarterfinal match. If Pakistan can bat first in that match, they will have one leg in the semi-final.

Threats - It is often said Pakistan are most dangerous when they have their backs to the wall. But, in this world cup, they have been in good form and the big question is have they already peaked and is there more steam left in them? Gayle and Pollard are dangerous threats Afridi will be well aware of.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 65%

Team - Sri Lanka
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Hambantota Beat Canada
Colombo Lost to Pakistan
Colombo Beat Kenya
Colombo No result against Australia
Pallekele Beat Zimbabwe
Mumbai Beat New Zealand

Strengths - Sri Lanka look the most well-balanced team keeping conditions in mind. They have batsmen who can easily adapt to the conditions in the subcontinent and bowlers who can not only control the scoring rate but also pick up wickets in the conditions. They have done basics right so far in world cup 2011 and someone rightly said, you only need to do that to win in the subcontinent.

Weaknesses - Over-dependence on Sangakkara in the batting department. If the opposition can get rid of Sanga early, the Lankans will struggle to post a decent total. Lack of a top-order batsman like Sanath Jayasuriya who can go berserk early on is hurting the Lankans during power play.

Opportunities - Lasith Malinga hasn't played much in this tournament and the little times he has, proved very dangerous for the opponents. Muralidaran has come back to top form with the progress of this tournament and that should help the Lankans big time. England have struggled against quality spin in the subcontinent and Sanga's men will try to exploit the opportunity at home to have a go at that chink in the English armour.

Threats - Poor middle order and poor form of allrounders. Angelo Mathews has been a shadow of his old self but there isn't a replacement for him. Graeme Swann will be a threat especially for the left-handed Sangakkara.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 60%

Team - Australia
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Ahmedabad Beat Zimbabwe
Nagpur Beat New Zealand
Colombo No result against Sri Lanka
Bangalore Beat Kenya
Bangalore Beat Canada
Colombo Lost to Pakistan

Strengths - Well-balanced outfit that has done not too much wrong in this world cup barring the slip up against Pakistan. Watson has been solid for them at the top and Brett Lee returned to top bowling form in the game against Pakistan. Jason Kreijza looked impressive in the last league fixture.

Weaknesses - Captain Ricky Ponting is going through a treacherous run with the bat and that is also affecting his captaincy. Mitchell Johnson hasn't lived up to his reputation while Shaun Tait keeps spraying the ball all around the park like he has been doing for many years now. Australia have not been their decimating self and that makes them look ordinary and beatable.

Opportunities - Zero expectations. This time, Australia are not expected to go the distance and that could come as a blessing in disguise. Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey's return is definitely what the doctor ordered and the law of averages are hugely in favour of Ponting to come up with a big one with the bat. Record at Motera, where the Aussies have a win percentage of nearly 70% is a big positive for the reigning champs.

Threats -Poor form with the bat and lack of ability to play slow bowling in sub continental conditions could well be a dampener. Beating India in Motera is a massive challenge and there cannot be a bigger threat for the Aussies at this point of time

Chances of making it to semi-finals -40%

Team - New Zealand
Road to the quarterfinals
Venue Match result
Chennai Beat Kenya
Nagpur Lost to Australia
Ahmedabad Beat Zimbabwe
Pallekele Beat Pakistan
Mumbai Beat Canada
Mumbai Lost to Sri Lanka

Strengths - Fielding should be their only strength at the moment. The Kiwis have done really well in that department. Other than that, their batting has done well in patches but nothing home to write about.

Weaknesses - Aplenty! Barring the big sock win over Pakistan, New Zealand have largely lived up to their billing of being the weakest among top sides in world cup 2011. Batting has been very inconsistent for the Kiwis and to expect them to win 3 matches in a row with the kind of brittleness in their batting is asking for too much. Bowling too has been a problem for them as they are just not made for the sub continental conditions.

Opportunities - Zero expectations. Like Australia, New Zealand too have come into this edition with an extremely poor year behind them, which is why expectations are very low. If players like Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum get going, anything can happen.

Threats - The fact that they are up against the best team so far in this tournament itself is the biggest threat. Add to that the fact that they are playing at the venue, which started their disastrous fall a year ago only pushes their morale further southwards. Dale Steyn will be a huge threat for the beleaguered Kiwi batting line-up.

Chances of making it to semi-finals - 25%

It is SWOT analysis not SWAT, i hope its typo!!!

Well i dont agree that Australia has less chances to put themselves in Semis. I think they will beat India because India has a long time tradition of surrendering under the pressure of home crowd and Australia has been severely criticized by their media after they lost to pakistan. Aussies know the way to get back and fight back. I think they will punch back and qualify for semis yet the chances of their loss in semis can not be ruled out!!!!!

Regards

__________________
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.”