India better placed than in 146;03: Wright

Former India coach John Wright feels Rahul Dravid and Co were 8220;better placed8221; this time than in the 2003 World Cup when they reached the final during his stint

Former India coach John Wright feels Rahul Dravid and Co were 8220;better placed8221; this time than in the 2003 World Cup when they reached the final during his stint. 8220;They are further ahead than we were in 2003. We had a tough tour of New Zealand prior to the World Cup and at this stage last time out, we lost to what was virtually a Natal third side,8221; Wright said. 8220;India are well ahead of that. They have also beaten Sri Lanka at home. At this stage they are better placed,8221; he was quoted as saying in the media.

8226; Zimbabwe see chinks in rival armour

Kingston: Zimbabwe believe there are enough chinks in the armour of Group D rivals West Indies and Pakistan to give them a glimmer of hope. Skipper Prosper Utseya insists that West Indies8217; inconsistencies and Pakistan8217;s troubled build-up can be exploited as Zimbabwe chase one of the two qualifying places for the Super Eights.

8226; Bucknor ponders retirement

Port-of-Spain: Having officiated cricket matches for the last 18 years, ICC8217;s elite panel umpire Steve Bucknor is planning to retire from the job and return to coaching football. The hexagenarian West Indian, who has officiated in 117 Tests so far, said he would not stand in international matches after a couple of more years. 8220;I am 60 now and I don8217;t think I want to be an international umpire after I am 63,8221; said Bucknor.

8226; Fleming sees no favourites

Montego Bay: New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming says that there are no clear favourites in the World Cup and all the top teams will fancy themselves winning the coveted trophy. Fleming believes that the recent wins against Australia have been a big confidence booster for his side but the poor show in the warm-up games have also pointed out the flaws that they need to iron out. 8220;There are no clear favourites, I feel it8217;s anyone8217;s game,8221; Fleming said.

8226; World Cup set to hit Pak economy

Karachi: The Cup is all set to hit Pakistan8217;s economy with multinationals, banks, trading companies, money changers and the Karachi stock exchange expecting a slump in their business during the showpiece event. With the timing of the matches scheduled between 6.30 P.M and 2.30 according to Pakistan Standard Time, attendance in offices, trading companies and stock exchange is expected to be affected specially on days of big matches.