Cricket World Cup 2015: Power Ranking Teams After Two Thirds of Group Stage
Welcome to Bleacher Report's Cricket World Cup power rankings following the completion of two thirds of the group stage.
In our last power rankings for the opening third of the group phase (you can find them here), New Zealand and India reigned supreme after blistering starts to the tournament.
Meanwhile, both Sri Lanka and South Africa languished lower than expected following heavy defeats early on.
But with 14 matches completed since then, how has the tournament's landscape changed?
Across the following slides, we update our Cricket World Cup power rankings.
14. United Arab Emirates
1 of 14
Record: P4, W0, L4
Net Run Rate: -1.691
Position in Pool B: 7th
Group Games to Come: South Africa, West Indies
After pushing Zimbabwe all the way in their opening match and taking part in a thriller against Ireland in Brisbane, the United Arab Emirates have found it hard going against the stronger sides.
In Perth, they were hammered by India, before being dispatched by Pakistan in Napier.
With South Africa and the West Indies looming on the schedule, their tournament is effectively over.
13. Scotland
2 of 14
Record: P4, W0, L4
Net Run Rate: -1.423
Position in Pool A: 7th
Group Games to Come: Sri Lanka, Australia
When Scotland claimed seven New Zealand wickets in just 25 overs to scare the hosts in their opening game, you wondered if they might be able to trouble a few sides at this World Cup.
But it hasn't worked out that way since.
After being swept aside by a reeling England, the Scots allowed Afghanistan to steal an unlikely victory in Dunedin after the game had looked dead and buried.
And when Bangladesh comfortably chased down their impressive total of 318 in Nelson, it essentially ended all hope the Scots might have had for registering a win at this tournament.
12. Afghanistan
3 of 14
Record: P4, W1, L3
Net Run Rate: -1.953
Position in Pool A: 6th
Group Games to Come: New Zealand, England
Although they've only won once, Afghanistan have been brilliant to watch at this World Cup, playing with an adventure and exuberance that has delighted crowds.
Fast-bowling duo Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zadran have also risen to cult status.
Despite succumbing to Bangladesh in their opening game, Mohammad Nabi's men made life difficult for Sri Lanka in Dunedin before making history with their first World Cup win in a thriller against Scotland.
And though they were destroyed by Australia in Perth, there's no shame in that for the Associate nation—the hosts are a scary proposition on the bouncy WACA Ground pitch.
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11. Zimbabwe
4 of 14
Record: P4, W1, L3
Net Run Rate: -0.723
Position in Pool B: 6th
Group Games to Come: Ireland, India
Despite the West Indies' loss to India on Friday, Zimbabwe's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals look over after four games. With only the sole victory over the United Arab Emirates, it would take something remarkable for the Africans to qualify for the last eight.
Solid with the bat in this tournament, Zimbabwe's issues have come with the ball in hand, conceding big totals to South Africa and the West Indies, and even watching the UAE compile 285 against them.
10. Bangladesh
5 of 14
Record: P4, W2, L1, NR1
Net Run Rate: +0.182
Position in Pool A: 4th
Group Games to Come: England, New Zealand
Bangladesh are clinging to the last qualifying spot in Pool A at the moment and were extremely fortunate to escape with one point from the washed-out clash with Australia in Brisbane.
With New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka setting the pace in their group, the Tigers are in a straight tussle with England for fourth place.
Yet, while they hold a three-point edge over Eoin Morgan's team, the two sides meet in Adelaide on Monday, which will likely decide who progresses (England finish their group schedule with a straightforward meeting against Afghanistan; Bangladesh will complete theirs by facing New Zealand).
The problem for Bangladesh? They haven't won a single one-day international against one of the world's top-eight teams since November 2013.
9. England
6 of 14
Record: P4, W1, L3
Net Run Rate: -1.201
Position in Pool A: 5th
Group Games to Come: Bangladesh, Afghanistan
It was a shocking opening to the World Cup for England, who were thrashed by Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in three of their first four games.
But, despite those results, England should still qualify for the quarter-finals, given they face Bangladesh and Afghanistan in their next two outings.
However, Eoin Morgan's team look unlikely to progress beyond there, unless their form against the bigger sides takes a drastic turn.
8. Pakistan
7 of 14
Record: P4, W2, L2
Net Run Rate: -0.385
Position in Pool B: 3rd
Group Games to Come: South Africa, Ireland
Two consecutive victories over Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates may have restored a little confidence in the Pakistan camp, but it can't be forgotten how awful Misbah-ul-Haq's men were against the West Indies.
On that day in Christchurch, everything was shambolic from Pakistan. Everything. And two wins over lesser sides since doesn't change that.
The only thing in their favour is their ability to pull out a strong performance from nowhere when you least expect it.
Their final group match against Ireland will likely decide whether they progress or not.
7. West Indies
8 of 14
Record: P5, W2, L3
Net Run Rate: -0.511
Position in Pool B: 4th
Group Games to Come: United Arab Emirates
After the Chris Gayle-led barrage against Zimbabwe, consecutive defeats to South Africa (an absolute mauling) and India have brought the West Indies crashing back to earth.
Though the Caribbean outfit seems capable of beating up inferior bowling attacks, they've crumbled on the two occasions they've faced high-quality opposition.
With just one game to come against the United Arab Emirates, the West Indies will need a big victory to ensure they aren't eliminated by Pakistan or Ireland on net run rate.
6. Ireland
9 of 14
Record: P3, W2, L1
Net Run Rate: -1.137
Position in Pool B: 5th
Group Games to Come: Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan
If Ireland can defeat Zimbabwe in their next match—and given their display against the West Indies, that's entirely possible—they'll have won three of their opening four games at this World Cup.
Such a situation would leave the Irish likely needing just one point from their final two matches against India and Pakistan to progress to the quarter-finals. If weather intervenes at any stage, they'll get it. And if they perform to their potential and continue their happy knack of chasing totals, they could also upset Pakistan.
As they've often been, the Irish are the giant killers at this World Cup.
5. Sri Lanka
10 of 14
Record: P4, W3, L1
Net Run Rate: +0.128
Position in Pool A: 2nd
Group Games to Come: Australia, Scotland
Before anything is else is said, there's something that needs to be noted: The gap between fifth and sixth in these power rankings is colossal.
Indeed, not a lot separates the top-five sides, but the difference between that group and those under them is immense.
Sri Lanka, of course, look to be peaking at the right time after a slow opening to the tournament and are among the big movers from our last power rankings.
Though their bowling attack lacks some bite on the Australian surfaces, their experience and global-tournament record holds them in good stead in this World Cup.
So, too, does having the irrepressible pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
4. South Africa
11 of 14
Record: P4, W3, L1
Net Run Rate: +1.950
Position in Pool B: 2nd
Group Games to Come: Pakistan, United Arab Emirates
Since that heavy defeat to India in Melbourne, South Africa have bounced back emphatically with thumping victories over the West Indies and Ireland to become the first team in one-day international history to compile 400-plus totals in back-to-back games.
Those displays have reinforced the magnitude of batting power that exists in the Proteas' lineup—something that's complemented by a world-class pace attack.
If there is one weakness, however, it's the presence of the long tail that was exposed by India.
3. Australia
12 of 14
Record: P4, W2, L1, NR1
Net Run Rate: +1.804
Position in Pool A: 3rd
Group Games to Come: Sri Lanka, Scotland
Last weekend's defeat to New Zealand in Auckland was many things for Australia: damaging for their World Cup campaign, evidence that they are human and yet also indicative of just how hard they are to beat.
After posting just 151, Australia almost stole the points at Eden Park, showing everyone that they're capable of winning from almost anywhere.
But that loss has made Australia's path in the World Cup considerably harder, with Michael Clarke's men now facing a more difficult quarter-final and possibly another visit to Eden Park for a semi-final against the Black Caps.
2. New Zealand
13 of 14
Record: P4, W4, L0
Net Run Rate: +3.589
Position in Pool A: 1st
Group Games to Come: Afghanistan, Bangladesh
So New Zealand have been dislodged from top spot in our power rankings.
Of course, that may seem strange given that they've maintained their perfect record. But the way in which New Zealand folded in their chase of 152 against Australia was evidence that the Kiwis will feel the pressure of home expectation in the finals.
Additionally, it's the second time it's happened, after the Kiwis made extremely hard work of chasing an equally small total against Scotland.
Naturally, when Brendon McCullum and their seam attack fire, they're hard to beat. But it's also been evident how heavily New Zealand rely on Kane Williamson to control an innings, meaning his wicket will be key throughout the finals.
1. India
14 of 14
Record: P4, W4, L0
Net Run Rate: +2.246
Position in Pool B: 1st
Group Games to Come: Ireland, Zimbabwe
Where has this form come from for India? Prior to this World Cup, MS Dhoni's men looked jaded and out of sorts. Suddenly, they're the World Cup's hottest side.
On Friday, the Indians brushed aside the West Indies in Perth to extend their unbeaten record and essentially guarantee that they'll go through the group stage undefeated.
With the bat they've been excellent, but it's with the ball where they've impressed the most. Indeed, their attack was seen as a possible weakness ahead of this World Cup, but their dismantling of both South Africa and the West Indies has put those concerns to bed.
In four games, no one has even come close to defeating India.
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