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By special request, here's a quick look at Zimbabwe's chances in the World Cup - apologies for not doing more of these, but I changed jobs a few months back and don't have quite as much free time on my hands as I used to.

We'll start with the warm-up matches, against Australia and Bermuda. These aren't being played to the usual ICC ODI rules - each team is allowed to play 13 players, to give as many people a chance to get some matchtime as possible - so they don't count towards the ODI rankings, but they may give some indication of form in matches where the two sides are on roughly equal terms. In Zimbabwe's case, sadly, they're not. Read on below the cut...

Australia (6 March) - the wounded giants versus the bottom of the Full Member pile. If Zimbabwe can manage to even contain Australia it'll be taken as a worrying sign for the defending champions, but I can't see this one being anything other than a stroll for the Aussies - but since Australia are Zim's next tour opponents (in June), it'll be useful experience for them. Prediction: Australia win.

Bermuda (8 March) - the lowest-ranked side in the tournament. Zimbabwe have played them once before, during last year's tour to the West Indies, and won convincingly. Of all the Associate sides, Bermuda seem the most out of their depth at the top level, despite generous government funding to help their development efforts, and as such shouldn't expect to put one over on Zim. Prediction: Zimbabwe win.

Moving on to Group D...
Ireland (15 March) - a definite case of split loyalties for me. Zimbabwe are my first-choice team since I was born & raised there, but I now live in Ireland and am a member of the ICU, so I hate to call this one. That said: Ireland are all-conquering among the Associates in the long form of the game, but they've been struggling of late in the one-day form. Their batting is extremely good, but their bowling attack is lacking and Zimbabwe should be able to exploit that. This one has the potential to be a close match, but I don't think Ireland will be able to pull it off - Zimbabwe, even at their current strength, are too strong for the Associates (Kenya excepted). Predicition: Zimbabwe win.

West Indies (19 March) - home side advantage and a desire to prove they're not in terminal decline are the motivations for Brian Lara and co. Zimbabwe didn't disgrace themselves during their last series against the Windies, but their form hasn't improved much since then while the West Indies have almost found a new lease of life lately. If Prosper Utseya can find his parsimonius form again then Zim should be able to restrict the Windies scoring, but I don't think their batsmen will be able to make much from the West Indies bowling attack. Predicition: West Indies win.

Pakistan (21 March) - they may be the 3rd-ranked ODI side, but Pakistan are a side in turmoil. With the recent controversy around the withdrawal of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif hanging over the side (claimed injuries aside, they had also failed to take mandatory drugs tests) and other major players missing through injures, they're at the weakest they've been for some time, and South Africa have shown that they're vulnerable. Their weakened bowling attack will give Zim a chance to make an impression - but they'll need to deal with the likes on Inzamam-ul-Haq if they're to have a chance of pulling off an upset. I'm not betting on it. Prediction: Pakistan win.

As I've said before, a win against Ireland will mean that Zimbabwe will have performed as well as their seeding (9th) and current ODI ranking (10th) would demand. Unfortunately, one win won't be enough to reach the Super 8 stage - that will require an upset, and while a win against either West Indies or Pakistan isn't out of the realms of possibility, Zimbabwe's recent form isn't exactly confidence-inspiring. There have been some recent matches where Zim just didn't seem to care (the 1st ODI in the recent Bangladesh series, for a start) - if that's the side that turns up in Jamaica, then there's no chance of progression. If the side can gather some professional pride and self-belief, though, there are possibilities - but it's up to Zimbabwe to take them.