World Cup 2015: Co-hosts New Zealand is the first team to reach quarter finals

By Chetan Narula

Kiwis on a high

With four wins out of four, and eight points thus, the Black Caps have become the first team to make it to the knock-out stages. Regardless of what happens now, they will play the quarter-final in Wellington on March 21.

Australia’s testing road

Like the Kiwis, Australia too will enjoy home advantage - if they reach the quarters - they'll play in Adelaide, on March 20, but who will they play is the biggest question?

They have won one match so far out of three, thanks to a washedout Bangladesh tie in Brisbane, and now face Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Scotland respectively. Any more weather interventions, particularly in the big Lanka game in Sydney this Sunday will see them finishing no higher than third in Pool A. If that happens, they will face the mighty South Africans in the quarters itself as the Proteas will most likely finish second in their group.

The dazzling Lankans

The Sri Lankans sit pretty on six points from four games, having beaten Afghanistan, Bangladesh and England. They are yet to play Scotland apart from Australia, and if they get these four points, they will move ahead as the second-placed team in the group.

England still can

Bangladesh are on three points after three games, their match against Australia was abandoned due to rain and so both the teams shared points, while England have two from four games. If Bangladesh can beat Scotland and then one of England or New Zealand, they will be through to the quarters. For England, it's simple, win both games. This makes England-Bangladesh a virtual pre-quarter tie as the Eoin Morgan side finish their campaign against Afghanistan.