Just hours away from international cricket's marquee showpiece, what better way to celebrate than a gathering of some of Newshub's cricketing diehards to spout some pre-tournament speculation.
Which non-NZ team are you most looking forward to seeing in action?
Ollie Ritchie (Newshub sports reporter): Maybe it's the cynic in me, but I can't wait to watch Australia, purely for the Steve Smith and David Warner element.
Everything we've been made to believe so far would suggest they've fitted back in seamlessly, but whether that's true will soon become clear.
Henry Rounce (Newshub sports reporter): England - the free-scoring hosts are stacked full of talent, constantly threaten 500 and have batting up to their armpits.
Their bowling might be a bit suspect, but who cares, when you can chase down anything. It's going to be fascinating to see whether they can handle being favourites.
Andrew Gourdie (Newshub sports reporter/presenter): Australia - they're as likely to defend their title as they are to completely implode.
The story to follow at this World Cup.
Luke Robinson (Newshub digital producer): India - they're the team with the most talent, including both the best batsman and bowler in the world in Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.
They boast a great supporting cast around those two stars and are stacked with firepower in an explosive middle order.
Player/s to watch for?
OR: India are always great fun to watch and when Virat Kohli is at the crease, you can't help but want to watch everything he does. He will be key to India's (very high) hopes at this tournament.
And aqain, Smith and Warner... and you know you will too, don't even try to deny it!
HR: Chris Gayle - the 'Universe Boss' is stepping down after the World Cup, and will be keen to batter a few more balls over the boundary before he's done and dusted.
Jos Buttler - the England wicketkeeper bats like a public fireworks display. He's plundered two centuries this year, including an unbeaten 110 off 55 balls against Pakistan.
Rashid Khan - the Afghanistan leg-spinner's got all the tricks in the book. Watch out, Blackcaps.
AG: Jofra Archer - a late and controversial inclusion for a settled and successful England team. His pace and x-factor were impossible for selectors to ignore, and could well prove to be a masterstroke.
LR: Kagiso Rabada - the South African 'quick' took the cricketing world by storm when he captured six wickets in his ODI debut and he has gone from strength to strength since. Expect big things from the 24-year-old.
KL Rahul - Looks to be the one who will bat at four for India. Sits in the shadow of their world-class top order, but the 27-year-old could turn some heads, if given the chance.
James Neesham - will be called upon throughout the tournament and must step up, if NZ are to go deep.
Bowling second change at a pace of 140km/h is nothing to frown at and he'll be key to putting the clamps on opponents through the middle part of their innings.
Dark horse team?
OR: West Indies - any team with Chris Gayle need to be watched closely.
HR: West Indies - they're as unpredictable as ever, but have an absurdly powerful batting line-up that could do some serious damage.
The return of all-rounder Andre Russell is a big boost, while captain Jason Holder is one of the most underrated cricketers on the planet. They drew 2-2 with England earlier this year, hitting scores of 360 and 389.
And Sheldon Cottrell's salute celebration is one of the best in the sport.
AG: Australia - it might feel a little strange to describe the defending champions as dark horses, but the tag can certainly be applied to the Aussies at this World Cup.
This team is nothing like the one that lifted the trophy on home soil in 2015, and the ball-tampering scandal is still very raw for a side that are still in the process of re-integrating David Warner and Steve Smith.
They may not be a great team right now, but they possess the individual talent to take down any team on their day.
LR: Afghanistan - Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi are leading the charge in the golden generation of Afghanistan cricket.
Expect the boys in blue to cause a few upsets in the UK - I wouldn't be surprised if they finish ahead of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
How far will the Blackcaps go?
OR: New Zealand will scrape into the semi-finals, but in English conditions, they won't have enough to repeat the heroics of the 2015.
HR: Semi-finals. It's concerning that they're still deciding on an opening partnership, while there are also question marks with the all-rounders.
Taylor looks ripe for a huge tournament and his class, along with Williamson and Boult, mean New Zealand will progress, but they're unlikely to challenge the big three of England, India and Australia.
AG: Eliminated at the semi-final stage. The Blackcaps were a perfectly balanced, modern ODI unit at the last tournament, but the 2019 model doesn’t have the same feel.
It's not obvious which players feature in Gary Stead's first choice XI, and there are concerns at the top of the order and at the bowling crease - especially at the death. New Zealand are a strong side, but it's difficult to see them getting past England, India or Australia, when a place in the final is on the line.
LR: Beaten finalists. So much class throughout this team with the bat and the ball.
Small boundaries straight will suit Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor looks set for a big tournament. Add Kane Williamson and second-ranked bowler Trent Boult, and you have the recipe to go deep into the tournament.
Batsmen with good technique and genuine hitting power throughout the order will set us on our way.
Which teams make the final and who win?
OR: England v India in the final, India with the upset. More misery for England.
HR: England and India. India to win.
AG: England versus Australia. England to win it.
LR: NZ v India, with India to prevail. Don't trust England, they have so much to offer on attack, but have lost too much with the ball.
Can you tell me a bowling attack led by Liam Plunket, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer can lead their nation to victory? India v England and NZ v Australia will be the semi-finals.
Which players finish as the tournament's top run-scorer and wicket-taker?
OR: Paying $41 at the TAB, Ross Taylor is good money, if you're a betting man. He knows English conditions well and has shown how vital he is for NZ at number four.
Top wicket-taker will be Jasprit Bumrah. That man can do all sorts of things with the ball, particularly in swinging English conditions.
Could well give the NZ top order headaches when they meet on June 13.
HR: Steve Smith's been in imperious form already and has the motivation to rack up some huge scores. Jasprit Bumrah's pace, yorkers and whippy action will send many a stump flying.
AG: Jason Roy and Trent Boult.
LR: Virat Kohli - the greatest batsman on the planet will not disappoint, his flawless technique and class will shine through in the UK.
Jasprit Bumrah - it was close between him and Rabada, but Bumrah could make the ball dance on lino with his unique action. The catalyst to Indian success with the ball.
Newshub.
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