The battle between England and Pakistan to make the semis would be the most intriguing. Pakistan's powerful attack vs England's batting would be amazing to witness, but the critical one would be Trueman and co vs Miandad, Younis and Inzi.
Of the top 3, while it may ultimately come down to the WI and Aus, South Africa can easily take out either. 7 legitimately great players and that's with Procter not making the lineup. Their opening attack and top 4 bats are as good as if not better than anyone's.
Might take England's batting aligned with Pakistan's bowling to defeat them.
Actually a composite team
Openers - England
1st drop - Australia
Middle order - W. I.
Spin battery - Australia
Pace attack - W. I.
Openers no discussion, similarly 1st drop, and middle order .
From my ratings Hobbs(4), Hutton(8), Bradman(1), Richards(5), Lara(7), Sobers(3)
Warne and Gilly and contenders / near locks for an AT team based partly because of their work together, so....
Pacers only close call, from our ongoing poll.
Marshall (1)/ Ambrose (7) / Garner (15)
Steyn (6) / Donald (13)/ Pollock (20)
Imran (8) / Akram (11) / Younis (17)
McGrath (2) / Lillee (12) / Cummins (23)
Barnes (9) / Trueman (14) / Anderson (25)
If we want to use Lindwall instead of Cummins that's 16 over 23, but did he ever come on first change, or suited to that role? I'll leave it up to the Australian's to decide.
But just raw ratings -
WI - 23
Aus - 37 / 30
Pak - 36
SA - 39
England - 48
Ok, thought it would have been between the Windies and South Africa but I was way off, but still Windies.
Since I'm on a roll, slip support.
Simpson - Chappell - Ponting
Smith - Kallis - Richards / Pollock /deVilliers
Lara - Sobers - Richards
Hammond - Botham - Barrington / Root
this went so very much longer than intended
Openers - England (sm SA)
First drop - Australia
Middle order - West Indies (sm Aus)
Spin / keeper - Australia (sm SL)
Pace Attack - West Indies (sm Aus / Pak / SA)
Cordon - Australia (sm SA / WI)