WEST INDIES TEAM

Champions history pedigree: Surprisingly good. They were runners-up to South Africa in Dhaka in 1998 and, against all odds, stunned England in the final at The Oval two years ago.

One-day record since last Champions Trophy: P39 W14 L23 T/NR2

Coach - Bennett King: The Australian has his critics in his homeland despite his success at Queensland - Greg Matthews said of him: "He's not in the top 20 coaches or the top 100 people I've ever talked cricket to." There have been voices of discontent in the Caribbean too with generally poor results.

Captain - Brian Lara: Brought back to inspire the troops ahead of their hosting of the World Cup, it's been tough going for the great left-hander. Disagreements with the selectors over the make-up of his team and contractual rows have tested his patience.

Big hitter - Chris Gayle: Although he has tried to be more responsible, the laid-back Jamaican is happiest when trying to hit the leather off the ball - and when it comes off it's spectacular.

He's a real character - Runako Morton: Expelled from the Windies academy in 2001 for a series of misdemeanours, in 2002 he lied about his grandmother dying so he could return from the 2002 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

Did you know? In 1999, during a romantic rendezvous with his girlfriend in Guyana, Shivnarine Chanderpaul shot a policeman after mistaking him for a mugger.

Verdict: Who knows? After winning the 2004 tournament their form dipped alarmingly but has picked up under Lara's leadership this year and they could either be knocked out very early or go very far.