THE COACHES

Peter Cantrell, an Australian who has never played international cricket, coach of The Netherlands and has represented Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. He was a hard-hitting opening batsman and a talented off-spinner. His brush with international cricket came in 1990-91 Brisbane Test against , when as a substitute fielder, he took two catches. Cantrell is an astute judge of the game and he has contributed immensely towards the Dutch cricket.

Has never played international cricket, coach of South Africa - Mickey Arthur coaches the only team in the world to have defeated the Australians by scoring 400 in the second innings of an ODI. That means they have the talent and the motivation (a lot of it no doubt coming from Arthur) to be world champions. South Africa is also, along with , the best fielding side in the world. And they have a very fine mix of experience and youth. Arthur's team's progress will be watched keenly even by neutrals because of their ability.

Former South African first-class player, now coach of Ireland Cricket Team- Birrell was a talented right-hand batsman and a leg-spinner. He played for Eastern Province and has a first class century to his name. The 47-year-old will be stepping down as coach of after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, having already been with the team for over five years. Under Birrell has notched up some very creditable wins in ICC associate members' tournaments.

Former spinner, now coach of - John Bracewell is a rare breed: in a world of foreign coaches, he is coach of the country he played for! A tall off spinner with a high action, Bracewell took 102 wickets in 41 Tests for . He coaches a team led by one of the world's best captains, Stephen Fleming. is the perennial dark horse that has the ability to run even the mighty Australians close. Add to that their innovative sense of strategy (remember Dipak Patel opening the bowling and Mark Greatbatch explaining to bowlers what the 30-yard circle rule meant during the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup?) and the Kiwis will be more than a handful in this tournament.

Former Australian captain, now coach of - Chappell is still regarded by many as the finest Australian batsman after Sir Don Bradman. Anyone who scores 7000 Test runs at an average of 54 has to be very special, especially when many of them came against what would be regarded as the most lethal bowling attack in history - that of Lloyd's West Indians. But it is as coach that Chappell has recently been involved with top level cricket. His experiments with the Indian team have kept him in the news and his frank Aussie manner of working has ensured a constant supply of good copy for reporters. Chappell probably has the toughest coaching job in cricket, but he has the experience to satisfy his audience, a billion Indians.

Former seamer and now coach of - Kevin Curran was part of the team that reduced to 17 for 5 in the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup before Kapil Dev played the greatest knock of his life. Like his then skipper Duncan Fletcher, he only played in ODIs. His team, as player and coach, , are another among world cricket's mercurial sides. They have had a lot of success, especially in one-day cricket, and have produced players of very fine quality. Curran's experience in the tournament will help him greatly as his young side tries to pull off a couple of upsets.