After a mammoth 42 matches across two pools, with 14 teams involved, the Cricket World Cup has finally reached the quarter-final stages Down Under. Just eight teams are now left in with a chance of taking the ultimate prize, but just which teams seem capable of lasting the pace? Let's consider the first two quarter-finals in a bit more detail.

Sri Lanka v South Africa - March 18th in Sydney

This is probably the hardest game to predict, with both sides capable of the victory on any given day. Both nations won four matches and lost two games in qualifying, scoring plenty of runs between them.

The Proteas have AB de Villiers as their potential match winner, with back up in the batting in the shape of Hashim Amla, while Sri Lanka can counter with the consistency of the retiring Kumar Sangakkara with his four centuries and most runs so far at this World Cup of 496.

It may well prove to be the bowling that tips the balance South Africa's way, with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel providing a proven combination. Sri Lanka's best chance seems to be for Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan to rack up the runs for them again and then apply the pressure with a big score on the board. Don't count out the tricky Lasith Malinga from being among the wickets though, with his awkward round-arm style always providing some interesting moments.

Bangladesh v India - March 19th in Melbourne

On paper this would seem to be a forgone conclusion, as the reigning champions have swept all before them so far, with a perfect record of six wins from their six matches. Bangladesh have performed admirably to get this far, edging out England in their pool to clinch the last place in the last-eight, but will not want to simply disappear into the night at this stage.

India should have too much firepower for them, especially among the batsmen where Shikhar Dhawan averages over 56 for the tournament, plus don't rule out MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to produce when required. Mohammed Shami and Ravichandren Ashwin have 27 wickets between them so far and will look to be among the wickets again in the quarter-finals.

Bangladesh look to be stronger in their batting than bowling, so will look for more runs from Mohammad Mahmudullah (344 so far), supported by Mushfiqur Rahim.