NEW ZEALAND - 

Batting – 2

Brendon McCullum has retired, Martin Guptill’s powers appear to have diminished, and Kane Williamson’s preparation has been affected by IPL participation.

All in all, the ferocious batting line-up that helped New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup final looks severely weakened.   

Bowling – 3

Jeetan Patel’s international second wind has come at the right time for New Zealand, who will cherish his English one-day cricket experience.

He can be backed at to take most New Zealand wickets.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee are an experienced new-ball duo, but middle-over options may prove more of an issue.

Fielding – 4

Led by the excellent Guptill, this is an area in which the Kiwis pride themselves and should be able to match any opponent.

If standards slip in the field, they are unlikely to win too many matches. 

Tournament nous – 3

The 2015 World-Cup finalists reached the WT20 semi-finals last year, too.

It is unlikely to be this element that proves their undoing, though their underwhelming performance in that final means they have only minimal positives to draw on. 

Total - 12/20

PAKISTAN - 

Batting – 4

With five centuries in his last 11 ODIs, Babar Azam – to lead Pakistan’s run-scoring – is worth keeping an eye on.

Combined with the solid Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, Pakistan may be a little more consistent with the bat than expected.

Bowling – 3

The form of Mohammad Amir since his return to international cricket has been good, and counters a drop off for fellow left-armer Wahab Riaz.

Their array of attacking bowlers too often get the balance wrong between wicket-searching and conservatism, though. 

Fielding – 2

So often their downfall, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s fielding once more.

As was evidenced in England last summer and Australia over the winter, heads go down too easily when things are going wrong.

Tournament nous – 3

Wildly unpredictable, it would come as little surprise were Pakistan to pull a rabbit out of the hat and win their group at .

That is what it would take to progress from a pool including India and South Africa, though, considering that they have hardly excelled at either of the last two global ODI events.

Total - 12/20

BANGLADESH -

Batting – 3

Failure to reach 300 in 14 of their last 15 ODIs calls into question Bangladesh’s ability to keep up with the big-hitting that will be exhibited elsewhere in this tournament.

But star batsmen Tamim Iqbal can set the tone at the top with opening partner Imrul Kayes.

Bowling – 3

Mustafizur Rahman – available at to take most wickets for Bangladesh – is crucial to his side’s chances, as is No.1 ranked all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Taskin Ahmed is promising, too, having taken 41 wickets in his first 27 ODIs.

Fielding – 3

Fielding has been considered far more of a priority as Bangladesh bring through an exciting generation of young players, and the hard work paid off as they out-performed Sri Lanka in March.

A slip in standards against Pakistan in a warm-up game will, hopefully, prove just a blip.

Tournament nous – 2 

Victories over England in consecutive World Cups were impressive, but there is still serious concern as to their temperament.

Memorably, they failed to usurp India at the 2016 WT20, despite needing just two runs from the remaining three balls to beat them.

Total - 11/20

SRI LANKA -

Batting – 3

Expect Kusal Mendis – to lead Sri Lanka’s batting – to star in a relatively experienced batting line-up capable of plenty.

How they counter early-summer English conditions will decide their fate.

Bowling – 2

Pinning hopes on Lasith Malinga, who has not featured in an ODI since November 2015, is hardly a positive sign.

This is an attack with talent, but Suranga Lakmal and Seekkuge Prasanna were part of an attack taken apart by England this time last summer.

Fielding – 2

The disastrous performances in South Africa forced coach Graham Ford to focus a week-long training camp on fielding skills earlier this month.

Whether it makes enough difference under intense pressure remains to be seen.

Tournament nous – 2

The Sri Lankans reached the semi-final of this event four years ago, but only with four members of this year’s squad included.

They are evidently skilled, but one win in eight ODIs in 2017 hardly bodes well for immediate success.

Total - 9/20