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The international cricket authorities do their best to ensure the game is never far from our consciousness. The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup commences on February 19 at the National Stadium in Mirpur between co-hosts Bangladesh and India.
The hosting duties for the tournament now also include Sri Lanka after Pakistan were stripped of their rights following a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.
While there are 14 teams that have qualified for what will be the 10th World Cup in this format, given the need to keep the top teams in the tournament, the seeding process allows limited opportunities for the smaller cricketing nations to succeed.
While you can expect the odd upset from Bangladesh, particularly on home soil, and possibly Ireland, realistically the chances of any of the minnows making it to the quarter-finals in March are slim.
With the opening fixtures being well spread out and the knock-out stages not commencing until March 23, this provides squads carrying injuries to recuperate and play themselves into form.
The top two ranked teams are both looking strong. South Africa boasts a wonderful balance in their batting line-up between the steady accumulation of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis with the power of Graeme Smith, JP Duminy and Morne Morkel. They also boast an attacking line-up of genuine pace and accuracy with Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell. Their weakness looks to be their spin attack - a vital component on slow, turning Asian wickets.
Australia comes into the tournament with the form, having recently thrashed England 6-1 in a long series that has left England depleted. The reigning champions will rely on the part-time spin of Michael Clarke and David Hussey and a long and strong batting line-up.
However, my personal favourites for the trophy are hosts India. With Gautam Gambir and Virender Sehwag they have the power to take a game away from the opposition.
If either fails, there is Sachin Tendulkar, the most successful batsman in history. In captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni they also possess a destructive middle order batsmen and one of the cleverest tacticians in the game today.
For me, Sri Lanka possess the most balanced and potent bowling attack, with Malinga in particular likely to be dangerous, although they rely too heavily on Tilakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara to score big runs.
Two teams that are dangerous on the day are Pakistan and New Zealand although I doubt they will have the consistency to mount a serious challenge.
The length of the tournament and the home conditions should see Indian claim the $3 million winners' cheque at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2 although, of the visiting nations, I expect to see South Africa push them the closest.
Also, keep an eye out during the tournament for Stumpy - no, not England's stocky wicketkeeper but the official tournament mascot!
