For Australia, Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Scotland the dream is over but those who remain will now be aiming to finish in the top two in their respective groups to reach the semi-final stage.
For Ireland that ambition may be slightly unrealistic but having beaten Pakistan in the last 50-over World Cup they will go into their Group F clash on Sunday with little to fear. By then, both teams will have played once in the Super Eights (Ireland against New Zealand on Thursday at Trent Bridge and Pakistan against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Friday).
Ireland rested Niall O'Brien and Trent Johnston during Wednesday's Group A defeat against India, with their early-afternoon meeting with the Black Caps in mind.
Meanwhile, Pakistan are attempting to obtain a visa to bring all-rounder Abdul Razzaq into their squad having lost Yasir Arafat for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury. Pakistan started their campaign in disastrous fashion, with a heavy defeat against England, but will now look to their slow bowlers - Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal chief amongst them - to steer them into the last four.
New Zealand have been hit by injury problems themselves, with Jesse Ryder possibly being out for the remainder of the tournament, captain Daniel Vettori yet to feature and Ross Taylor absent from Thursday's match against Ireland. Their second Group F match - against Pakistan on Sunday at Lord's - could go a long way to deciding their fate.
Sri Lanka go into the group as the only one to have won both of their first-phase matches after enjoying convincing wins over Australia and West Indies. Sanath Jayasuriya made a welcome return to form against West Indies while his opening partner, Tillakaratne Dilshan, could be one of the batting revelations of the tournament with his mixture of improvisation and aggression.
Group E starts with India and South Africa as firm favourites to progress to the semi-finals but England and West Indies have already beaten higher-ranked opponents in the opening round (Pakistan and Australia respectively).
England recovered well from their tournament opening defeat against Netherlands and the pressure will now be off the hosts when they face South Africa at Trent Bridge on Thursday and India at Lord's on Sunday.
Kevin Pietersen's return from an Achilles injury proved vital in their win over Pakistan and he will hold the key to his side's fortunes over the next five days.
South Africa have looked in imposing form throughout the warm-ups and group stages, enjoying crushing wins in most of those games before showing they can also hold their nerve in a tight finish when they beat New Zealand by one run at Lord's on Tuesday.
Experienced opening pair Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis gave their side a solid start in both of their group matches but it could be the explosive middle order - including AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel - who could tip the balance in close-fought encounters.
India got past Bangladesh and Ireland with consummate ease in Group A but will be pushed harder in the next phase.
Their only discomfort since the start of the tournament to date has surrounded the withdrawal of batsman Virender Sehwag from their squad through a shoulder injury. India's squad is remaining close-knit and are looking good for a repeat of their victory in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20.
West Indies are unlikely to be fancied in many quarters to reach the semi-finals but they will have captain Chris Gayle back in their ranks for their opening Group E match on Friday - against India at Lord's - after he missed the loss to Sri Lanka with a knee injury.
Source: www.cricket.yahoo.com
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