Teams turn attention to ODIs and World Cup

With some enthralling Test cricket now behind them and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 less than six weeks away, four of the top five ODI teams now turn their focus to the shorter format of the game with some high-intensity series about to start.

The Test series proved to be a fascinating stalemate but South Africa and India will both be hoping to begin the run-in to the Cricket World Cup with a positive showing and the first opportunity comes tomorrow in Durban.

It may have slipped down the Test ladder after a disappointing Ashes series but Australia is still the top ODI in the world at present and will be keen to keep it that way as it goes head to head in a seven-match series against England.

Depending on how results pan out, any one of those four teams could go into the ICC Cricket World Cup, which starts on 19 February, in first place making this one of the most open and difficult to predict Cricket World Cups in history.

Indeed, fifth-placed Sri Lanka could also get there although pre-event fixtures have not yet been confirmed.