Leroy Gonsalves - plumber: `I have South Africa to win. They have the home advantage and they are naturally good players overall, and that will give them the edge. I can't identify one individual batsman or bowler because they have so many. There is [Sachin] Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid from India, Lara and Samuels from the West Indies, Michael Bevan and Damien Martyn from Australia and from Sri Lanka there is [Sanath] Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva. And you also have Nick Knight, Alec Stewart and Michael Vaughn from England. They are all players capable of dominating the game and then you also have some players who could surprise you. As for the bowlers McGrath is number one and you can't stop him. Muttiah Muralitharan from Sri Lanka and Shane Warne, you can't leave them out. They can change a lot of matches around. As for the West Indies I will tell you the truth. I am a diehard West Indies fan. But they can't come out on top at this level. We will give a good account of ourselves. We will get past the preliminary round and we might even get into the Super Six but after that... Our bowling is very, very weak and our batsmen might play on Sunday but you don't know what will happen to them on Monday. If they come into the finals I would say that would be the biggest (upset) since 1983 in India. As to the Zimbabwe-Kenya issue I feel politicians are getting too involved in sports but I think players' safety is priority.'

Rita Assirbad - housewife: `West Indies. The team has lots of good players. (Ramnaresh) Sarwan, (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper and they will come through for the World Cup, but the West Indies need some good bowlers. I will be looking at South Africa's batting line up and India has some good batsmen also. The same for bowlers.'

Phylicia Karan - student: `West Indies! I just like them and I think they will win. Ramnaresh Sarwan will make the most runs. I love him. He is good. And I think Mervyn Dillon will get the most wickets. The West Indies, they are the best team!'

Yvette Hinds - security officer: `I will always say West Indies because I love the team and I have all confidence that they will win. Hooper is good and they have young gifted players like Sarwan, Chanderpaul, (Marlon) Samuels and Wavell Hinds. They are fine batsmen and the team also has some budding bowlers. Being a fan of the team, even if it isn't realistic I will say they will win the World Cup.'

Dennis Murray - miner: `I am backing West Indies because I am Guyanese and a West Indian. And I think especially with the team's batting they are coming on very strong. I think if they win the toss in all their matches and they bat first they would win all their matches. I think Sarwan will make the most runs because he is in good form right now. As for a bowler I would have to say Glenn McGrath because he is the most accurate in the world. As for the matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya all I can say is go ahead and play.'

Martin McLennon - carpenter: `I think the West Indies will win. They will make it. They have good people like Chris Gayle who are standing as the best. They have a strong team and I have confidence that they will win the World Cup. The batsman who will score the most runs is Chris Gayle because of the way he is performing right now. He takes his time and plays the game correctly. For bowlers: Australia's Brett Lee. I have heard people saying a lot of things about him and I have seen him perform and I am very optimistic about his bowling. He could be very dangerous.'

Nicola Clarke - private sector employee: `I think West Indies have a better chance right now even though South Africa is a very strong team. I still believe in the West Indies, for the simple reason that their batting and bowling gives them a good chance. To be honest with the batsmen and bowlers there are so many I can't really pick one talented batsman or bowler. There is Tendulkar and Chanderpaul and Sarwan for the West Indies. It's a tough choice. And cricket is a game that you can't really predict anything and somebody might surprise you.'

Jacqueline Glen - housewife: `There is one team I normally bet on and that is West Indies and once our batting and bowling is perfect we have a chance. We have people like Lara, Samuels and Chanderpaul. I believe in them and I hope to see them make hundreds against some of the teams. Chanderpaul will make the most runs in the tournament. I like him and the way he always takes his time to bat. He always plays a patient innings. Jacques Kallis, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Lance Klusener, they are the bowlers to watch. Either of them will dominate and I think the two teams between themselves will take the most wickets. But I would like the West Indies to win and come back to form.'

Frederick Prince - self-employed: `West Indies. At one time we had a very great one-day team and I think we have such a team again, now. The team is very good, they have a strong batting line-up and reasonable bowlers. We will win it and bring home the cup. Chris Gayle is a better batsman in one-day competition and he has a better average. Brett Lee from Australia is a dangerous bowler and I think he will dominate the competition and help Australia win matches.'