South Africa will be the team to beat in this year's World Cup and New Zealand could be the dark horses, according to England star Darren Gough.

But the Yorkshire paceman added: "Australia speak for themselves and are among the best in the world while Pakistan could also be in with a shout."

Gough was still optimistic about England's chances, however, and thought they would be one of the top four sides in the competition.

"We did really well in Australia until the last few matches and all the games were close," he said.

"We didn't get beaten so much as throw some matches away with silly little mistakes which we hope we will have sorted out by the time the World Cup comes around."

Gough begins his World Cup preparations shortly when he and the rest of the England squad fly out for a tournament in Sharjah.

They come together again in Kent on May 7 for their warm-up games for the World Cup which starts a week later.

Although it is up to the England selectors to decide at the time whether individual members of the squad play in one or more of the season's opening championship matches, Gough was in no doubt that he was keen to make a flying start with Yorkshire.

"They have games against Gloucestershire and Somerset before we are called up and if I do play I will be putting everything into it.

"I will not be thinking I have a World Cup match coming up, I will just be performing the best I can."

Yorkshire are all set to lose fellow paceman Gavin Hamilton during the World Cup as he is due to play for Scotland.

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