It's cricket time

For the first time in almost a quarter of a century, the cricket World Cup is back Down Under. For the traditionalists and newcomers alike, it is a long overdue return to one of the sport's spiritual homes.

The long wait for cricket's showpiece event in New Zealand and Australia is over and the mood is infectious with millions of cricket fans around the world for Saturday's opening matches.

The first weekend has all the makings for a blockbuster. On Saturday, New Zealand host Sri Lanka in Christchurch and only a few hours later, across the Tasman Sea, Australia face England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the same sprawling venue where the two great rivals staged the first ever One-Day International, in 1971.

Then on Sunday, South Africa meet neighbours Zimbabwe in Hamilton and India clash with their fiercest foes Pakistan in Adelaide. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, on Friday to wish his country luck in the World Cup. The tournament's chief executive John Harnden has high hopes for the clash between the fierce rivals.

"This could very well be the most watched game of cricket in that point of time in the history of cricket," he said.

For some of the teams, just making it to the World Cup is a dream come true. Afghanistan are competing for the first time and they will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 18th. The Tigers reached Canberra yesterday to start their preparations ahead of their game there.

Fourteen teams have been divided into two pools for the six-week tournament, with the top four from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals.

Pool A will be fiercely competitive with Bangladesh competing for a coveted spot in the second round but, Australia, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka are favourites to advance ahead of Afghanistan, Scotland and the Tigers.

Shane Warne, a World Cup winner with Australia in 1999, is tipping his country to win again but concedes the title is wide open.

"We've been favourites a few times," Warne said on Friday. "But I don't think I've seen Australia go into any World Cup with so many match-winners.

"A lot of teams can win this ... Australia's biggest threat is there are just so many good teams."

Pool B is slightly more open. South Africa, India and Pakistan should all progress safely but West Indies, a fading giant in the 50-over game, are no sure bet to advance ahead of rank outsiders United Arab Emirates and the improving Zimbabwe and Ireland teams.

Bookmakers have tipped Australia as the early favourites, although host nations have a poor record in the tournament. In the previous 10 World Cups, only India (2011) have won the tournament on home soil.