It seems a bit redundant to do a Group D preview, since one match within it has already taken place - between the Windies and Ireland. And Ireland have been virtually knocked out, and their only chance lies in England losing both their games by huge margins. England are in good form, as seen in their warm-up victory over the Saffers, so this is quite unlikely. Oh wait, Ireland have something else up their sleeve - < insert leprechaun / pot o' gold joke here >.
So the Windies are currently top of the group, their star player so far being Darren Sammy, who top-scored, top-bowled and top-caught in that match.
The Windies' key players are Gaylestorm, Bravo and Big Benn, while you should continue watching out for Sammy. No one else. And I predict a semi-final spot for them. NOT. Second round it is.
If England play to their potential, they'll be utter failures. They need to play out of their skins to be able to win the Cup, and their key players will be KP, Morgan and Swansong. Watch closely the progress of new imports Lumb and Kieswetter. Yardy is turning out to be very useful, so England may be with two spinners. Yardy is also more than handy with the bat. Dangerous England can definitely make the semis.
Ireland, like I mentioned earlier, are mostly out, but anyway, their key players (or just names that I've been hearing for a while now) are the hard-hitting Kevin O' Brien, the skipper William Porterfield and Trent Johnston. And obviously you should be watching out for 17 year-old lefty spinner George Dockrell, Man, I hate it when kids younger than me do well for their clubs/countries and earn a lot. Last year Ireland fielded a schoolteacher (Kyle McCallan) and this year a high school kid. I'm not really making a point here.
That's it, then. Onwards. India beat the Afghans comfortably, Pakistan survived a Bangla scare, and the Kiwis relied on a McCullum for victory. Snooze. India v South Africa and Australia v Pakistan is where it's at.
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