A look ahead to the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The wait is almost over as the final preparations are made before the start of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Australia and New Zealand are readying themselves to welcome the very best in one-day international (ODI) cricket. It all kicks off on Friday (February 13th) when host nation New Zealand face Sri Lanka in Christchurch and signals almost two months of high-class cricket broadcast live from Down Under.

So how has the build-up been and who are the early favourites for lifting the coveted trophy at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 29th? Here is our guide to what is set to be another exciting World Cup.

Who are the favourites?

Unsurprisingly hosts Australia have been placed as overwhelming favourites to claim their fifth World Cup title. The Aussies have a proud record in this competition, lifting the trophy in 1987 and then embarking on a remarkable run which saw them win three consecutive titles between 1999 and 2007.

Australia have also been in ominous form heading into the 2015 tournament. Not only did they see off India and England to win the Carlton Mid Triangular Series in January but they have not lost any of their warm-up games. The batting of Steve Smith and bowling of Mitchell Starc have many expecting the Aussies to go the distance and be competing for the trophy at the end of March.

Reigning champions India are not fancied by the bookmakers and have struggled to recreate the form that helped them win the title in 2011. The squad selectors have opted for youth this year and only a handful of players that featured in the final will line-up in Australia.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq has confirmed he will retire from ODIs after the World Cup while all-rounder Shahid Afridi will also be retiring following the conclusion of the tournament.

Other names fancied for success in this year's competition include New Zealand, who will be backed by a buoyant home crowd, South Africa and England.

How are the teams shaping up?

The teams have been arriving in Australia and New Zealand since early January, keen to acclimatise and get in a number of warm-up matches before the start of the tournament. In late January, Australia, England and India competed in the annual Triangular Series hosted across the country.

For England, it was a chance to banish the memories of a dreadful 2014 and boost morale heading into the World Cup. However, it was Australia who demonstrated their title-winning credentials with a hugely impressive performance across the series. The Aussies won every game including a 112-run victory over England in the final.

England could take some positives from the series with Ian Bell finishing as top run scorer with 247. There was some impressive victories over India along the way, including a huge nine wicket scoreline at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The final warm-up matches saw Australia keep up their strong form with an 188-run win over the United Arab Emirates. England fell to a disappointing four-wicket defeat to Pakistan, New Zealand scored a major victory over the World Cup fancied South Africa. Ireland also sprang a surprise by beating Bangladesh by four wickets, Zimbabwe also claimed a victory over Sri Lanka.

What to look forward to on opening weekend?

Friday marks the start of the World Cup and kicks off a great opening weekend of top class cricket. All eyes will be on the Hagley Oval in Christchurch as New Zealand and Sri Lanka contest the inaugural game of the 2015 tournament. However, this is the just the starter for the entree which comes later in the day.

On Saturday morning, Australia and England take to the pitch at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. In what will no doubt be a white hot atmosphere, England will be looking to get revenge over the Aussies after an embarrassing Ashes whitewash. For Australia it is the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker for the rest of the tournament.

Moving onto Sunday and the action does not stop with South Africa taking on Zimbabwe in Hamilton while there is also the renewal of one of the oldest rivalries in sport - India vs Pakistan. It is one that simply can not be missed.