After ten days of the tenth World Cup, we now have a better idea of what it is likely to take to win this tournament, or at least to succeed in the conditions.

Not every pitch is the same, with some quicker than others, and so the balance of squads has been important and will only become more so as we approach the business end of the tournament.

So, based on the action we've seen so far, who looks best equipped to go all the way?

1. South Africa
Okay so they've looked blinding hot before and stumbled near the end on numerous occasions, which is something that will hang over them until they break that habit, and they haven't really been tested by a good side who can expose their shortcomings in the way that both India and England opened each other up to take a closer look at their make-up. But in terms of squad balance they look the best unit, and their decision to pick specialists rather than bits-and-pieces allrounders looks better every day. They might not have an out-and-out power-hitter, but AB de Villiers and JP Duminy have shown they're capable of clearing the ropes. They also have more than one gear, making them more adaptable.

With the selectors leaving the batting to the top six, the Proteas have the best bowling flexibility. There are left- and right-arm options in both the spin and seam departments, and the addition of Imran Tahir has given them an added weapon. On pitches that favour the batsmen, wicket-taking bowlers are valuable and Tahir has added his name to a strong Proteas stable. They went in with three spinners against West Indies, but in Lonwabo Tsotsobe they have one of the fastest improving seamers in the game waiting to come in. He'll surely get a game when South Africa face India in Nagpur, which has turned out to be one of the quickest pitches in the tournament.

2. Pakistan
Their win over Sri Lanka surprised many but a look at their starting XI shows a team perfectly suited for this game. They don't quite have the same quality at the top of the order as South Africa but the middle order is experienced and is followed by Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq - two batsmen capable of taking the game away from the opposition.

Shoaib Akhtar is charging in once more as he looks to make the most of what must be his swansong, aRazzaq has been tidy as an opening bowler and we're yet to see the best of Umar Gul. Saeed Ajmal hasn't got a game because Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez have served as secondary spinners. Pakistan's temperament is the biggest question, but so far they look a determined side and have the tools to get far in the tournament. Fielding is a bit of a concern though, and they were fortunate to win an important toss in the game against Sri Lanka.

3. India
They still look strong and will undoubtedly butcher some of the smaller sides in the group stage, but Sunday's match suggested they might need to rethink their line-up. On good batting pitches there's no need for seven proper batsmen, because against good opposition it's more important to have specialist bowlers who are capable of taking wickets and putting the pressure back on the other side. So far India's bowling department has been set with little more than a view to defend enormous totals. If they have to bowl first against a good team then that could be a big problem.

When fit Ashish Nehra will surely be considered, because although he was dreadful in South Africa he's been hugely successful in his home conditions for the past two years. It's unlikely to happen, but I'd like to see one of the batsmen make way for him, giving India five specialist bowlers plus a part-time spinner. MS Dhoni therefore effectively plays the chief allrounder in a well-balanced side that is not entirely dependent on the batsmen putting up big scores in every match.

4. Australia
Undoubtedly the most interesting experiment at the tournament with their pace-heavy attack, which so far has stood them in good stead. So far they've profited from playing against an overwhelmed Zimbabwe side and then took advantage of the zippy Nagpur pitch to blow New Zealand away. It will be fascinating to see whether their method will stand up once they face some of the stronger teams, starting with their match against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Their biggest concern is obviously whether their pace trio can stay fit. The decision to hold fire on naming Doug Bollinger's replacement has given them flexibility, and is an interesting tactical move, but it could also backfire given that the new player would have less time to adapt to conditions. Their ability to play good spin also remains in question after they struggled a bit against Zimbabwe's tweakers.

5. Sri Lanka
They sneak in ahead of England on the basis that Lasith Malinga will strengthen them considerably once he returns from injury as well as the fact that they have home ground advantage, but their middle order was exposed on Saturday and it's clear that they're overly reliant on Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Chamara Silva made a half-century against Pakistan but never looked like scoring quickly enough to overhaul the target. Angelo Mathews is a matchwinner, but only in the sense that he can win a match with his allround ability rather than do so with either his batting or his bowling. They'll certainly be there or thereabouts, but based on what we've seen so far there just doesn't seem to be the strength in depth to make them top contenders.

6. England
Andrew Strauss showed the true value of sport when he led an England effort which flew in the face of every prediction made at the halfway stage of their match against India. But they profited from Ian Bell's questionable lbw reprieve and wouldn't have got close without it. When the pressure was on, the middle order froze and the absence of Eoin Morgan was obvious as Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior fumbled around.

Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad bowled admirably, but the way James Anderson and Graeme Swann - England's best two bowlers - were taken apart would have been alarming to the team management. Their predicament rather echoes the wider concern about England - namely that they just don't have it in them to challenge strongly for the World Cup having spent themselves on the Ashes. Another two-month push will surely be beyond them.

7. Bangladesh
Should take advantage of playing all of their group matches at home and reach the next phase, where they will also enjoy a home quarter final. One big effort could see them in the last four, although they seem to lack strength in depth to an even greater degree than Sri Lanka. Nevertheless their group games against West Indies and England should be fascinating to watch, especially as their fast bowlers have improved from the first game and no longer look like massive liabilities.

8. West Indies
Romped to victory over the Netherlands, but Darren Bravo aside their batsmen are essentially flat track bullies. Fortunately for them there are plenty of flat tracks so they could cause an upset if Chris Gayle or Kieron Pollard fire, but a sustained challenge for the trophy is surely beyond them.

Follow Tristan's tweets as he makes his way around India and Sri Lanka here.