5 World Cup warm-up matches to watch out for

The 2015 Cricket World Cup is just a few days away and the warm-up matches in the lead up to the main competition have already begun. While these games hold no significance in terms of rankings, they do provide one final chance for teams to iron out their weaknesses and give them a clear idea, as to who will be part of the XI on the day of the main games.Despite the fact that these managers are given only unofficial status, there are still some extremely mouth-watering matches in store prior to the main competition that begins on February 14.Here's a look at 5 warm-up matches to look forward to in the upcoming week.

#5 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch

Can Elton Chigumbura stop the rampaging blade of Kumar Sangakkara?

Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe on Wednesday. The Lankan Lions had a terrific 2014 in 50-over cricket, winning the Asia Cup and beating England both away and home. But their start to 2015 hasn't been the greatest, losing the ODI series to New Zealand on away territory.

Their batting will once again revolve around the experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, both of whom will be appearing in their final World Cups. The two will be supported by their captain Angelo Mathews and the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal will also need to step up their game.

The bowling will be bolstered tremendously by the return of two key bowlers – Lasith Malinga and Sachitra Senanayake and together with Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara, they do boast of a balanced bowling attack.

Their opponents for the day, Zimbabwe, don't quite possess the type of players of the quality of the Flower brothers or Heath Streak. Their captain Elton Chigumbura will have to play key role with both bat and ball and he will surely want support from the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenayari and the rest of their side is to pull off an upset in one of the upcoming games.

#4 Bangladesh vs Ireland, Blacktown ISP, Sydney

Shakib’s left-arm spin against Kevin O'Brien’s attacking instincts should be an exciting battle

Bangladesh will take on Ireland in Sydney on Thursday. The Tigers’ hopes will once again rest on the shoulders of Shakib Al Hasan and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim. Tamim Iqbal will need to provide his side with blazing starts at the top of the order while the likes of Mahmadullah and Nasir Hossain will also have to rise to the challenge.

The bowling will be spearheaded by their captain Mashrafe Mortaza and he will be supported by Rubel Hossain while Taskin Ahmed will provide support to the duo. But like with their batting, the bowling will also depend on how well Shakib bowls his 10 overs and how much of assistance the other bowlers will be able to give him.

Among the associate nations, there is no doubt that Ireland stand out as the best of the lot. With the likes of the O' Brien brothers – Niall and Kevin, the openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling and former England batsman Ed Joyce, the Irish certainly possess a decent looking batting line-up.

The fast bowling will be led by Tim Murtagh and Peter Chase while the spin department will rest on the shoulders of the young but impressive George Dockrell.

#3 India vs Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval

Despite everyone expecting it to be a one-sided fixture, India's clash against Afghanistan on Tuesday will provide MS Dhoni one final opportunity to finalise his eleven before taking on Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday.

One of the worrying aspects of India's loss to Australia on Sunday was the manner in which the bowlers, particularly the quicker men, were carted around the ground on Sunday Barring Umesh Yadav, who looked good in his first spell and to some extent Ravichandran Ashwin, none of the other bowlers could hit their straps in the game, resulting in the Aussies posting a mammoth total on the board.

On the batting front, Shikhar Dhawan's 50 would have come as a welcome sign for everyone in the camp, as would the continuing fluency displayed by Ajinkya Rahane. But the major concern would again be the form of Virat Kohli, who seems to have lost his touch ever since the whites gave away to blue. Suresh Raina too hasn't been among the runs and Dhoni himself will need to get some runs under his belt leading into the competition.

Their opponents for the day, Afghanistan, showed glimpses of their potential in last year's Asia Cup, where they defeated Bangladesh. Their batting will depend on the likes of captain Mohammad Nabi, Nawroz Mangal and Asghar Stanikzai while all-rounder Samiullah Shenwari will have to play the quick fire cameos that he is capable off.

Shapoor Zadran, meanwhile, will lead the bowling attack for them along with Hamid Hassan and Nabi.

#2 England vs Pakistan, Sydney Cricket Ground

Shahid Afridi against Eoin Morgan will a match-up to look forward to

Another match to look forward to would be the game between England and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

England have looked a rejuvenated unit ever since they landed in Australia under a new skipper in Eoin Morgan. Their fast bowling will once again be their biggest strength at the competition. James Anderson will provide the early threat with his nagging line and length bowling.

Stuart Broad will provide him good support at the other end as will Steven Finn and Chris Woakes. The spinning department will be led by the canny James Tredwell and the much-improved Moeen Ali. Morgan also has the option of turning to Ravi Bopara.

The batting will revolve around the experienced Ian Bell at the top along with the measured James Taylor coming in at number 3. Joe Root, Morgan and Bopara will form the middle-order with Jos Buttler providing the power-hitting option lower down the order.

If England look settled in batting and bowling, Pakistan resemble the complete opposite of that. With Mohammad Hafeez latest to withdraw from the competition, their batting will be heavily reliant on the likes of Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Ahmed Shahzad. Shahid Afridi, for whom this will be last 50-over tournament, will also have to step up his game and play a responsible innings with the bat.

The Men in Green have always had a very good bowling attack, but for the first time in years, they are probably entering the tournament with an extremely inexperienced fast bowling attack, consisting of the likes of Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz. Their spin bowling will rest on the shoulders of two leg-spinners – the experienced Afridi and the relatively new Yasir Shah and the left-arm spin of Haris Sohail will add variety to their attack.

#1 New Zealand vs South Africa - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Dale Steyn vs Kane Williamson will be a contest worth watching

In what promises to be an exciting game, the Black Caps and the Proteas will play their second warm-up game against one another at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday.

New Zealand are coming into the World Cup, on the back of some excellent performances at home against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The Black Caps possess one of the best opening attacks in the world today, in Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who are ably assisted by Mitchell McClenagahan and Kyle Mills. The spinning department will be boosted by the presence of Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.

The batting will be in the able hands of Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor with Kane Williamson playing the sheet anchor role. Corey Anderson could come in handy in the end overs with the willow in his hand and with Luke Ronchi showing that he too can hit a few lusty blows, they certainly head into the tournament as one of the favourites.

However, they would be up against a side who too are coming into the competition in red hot form and are also one of the favourites to win their maiden World Cup. South Africa have in their ranks the most lethal bowling attack in the competition, with the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Wayne Parnell.

The batting will rest on the shoulders of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and the destructive AB de Villiers while the likes of Rilee Rossouw, David Miller and JP Duminy will give them more than competent backup.