I was tempted to suggest that Australia have cruised into the quarter finals of the Cup given their recent strong victories, but after the rain-out against the resurgent Bangladesh and the one-wicket thriller against the new Cup favourites New Zealand there were some anxious moments against Sri Lanka at the SCG before the play-off spot was secured.

Certainly the bravado evinced by some Australian players would have the fans  thinking that the campaign so far was flawless. Australia have had the luxury of home ground advantage and the planned advantage of a strong, deep squad.

Michael Clarke's injury and captaincy queries have had no detrimental effect on Darren Lehmann's  machine. Steve Smith or George Bailey could captain this team with only minor rudder adjustments.

The strength of the squad stands out when the Shane Watson versus Mitchell Marsh debate is based on  who is  better  rather  than who is worse. Either option works.

James Faulkner is seen individually as more important than both Watson and Marsh because he has to work in partnership with Mitchell Starc in the final bowling overs and he can score rapidly.

The selectors seem to have  gone out of their way to court criticism as the "selector on duty" has had differing opinions from match to match. Watson v Marsh ? Who cares ?  It  doesn't really matter which of the two were in the final XI although I don't think Watson's 7 overs and 1-71 vindicated national selector Mark Waugh's view that the pitch would suit his style of bowling.

Watson did bat quite well in the unaccustomed position of No.6 prompting the clarion call for his permanent demotion to fourth drop.

The forgotten specialist spinner Xavier Who was trotted out for the Sri Lankans because the Sydney pitch looked dry and slow, horses for courses.

Selectors have their reputations  to protect and their knowledge to broadcast, it would be nice if they were on the same page but in the final wash-up did it really matter?

Team balance will need closer examination if Australia get past the quarter-final at Adelaide Oval and have a full squad available for selection.

The semi-final is scheduled back at the SCG and the pitches there this season have had very little pace although the scores last Sunday might indicate that batsmen weren't too discomforted by the surface.  Would the selector on duty choose to go back to Doherty for a major elimination match especially if Pat Cummins is fully fit? Would a fragile Michael Clarke be favoured before a fragile Mitchell Marsh or Shane Watson?

Fortunately the difficult  questions have yet to be asked as the close games have been determined by the bowlers and the batting spoils have been shared around. New Zealand have had much the same progression.

Their victories have come through the balance of Brendan McCullum and Kane Williamson leading the run barrage and the seam bowlers attacking cautious opposition batsmen. Dan "the slow-bowling wizard" Vettori completes their picture.

The Black Caps have a quarter-final scheduled on the drop-in pitch in  Wellington which has played evenly and spun little. Given their close run game with Bangladesh,   New Zealand may not relish another contest with them in a semi-final at Eden Park.

Bangladesh will have to get past India in the MCG quarter-final if that situation is to  eventuate and that won't be easy. India have turned the form guide around delightfully after a barren run through the guts of the Australian summer.

Dhoni's men, so adept at performing diabolically away from the subcontinent, have found the motivation to defend their crown. It has taken some time but the Indian batsmen have worked out  how to use the extra bounce and trajectory.

While India's strength during their World Cup win at home had much to do with spin bowling, defending totals and penetrating batting orders, in an Australasian tournament the faster bowlers have played a stronger role while the batsmen have figured the conditions out.

The South African and Sri Lankan quarter-final at the SCG looms as the most interesting fixture of the play-offs. Until Dinesh Chandimal's corked thigh forced him to retire hurt with 52 off 24 balls (a faster scoring rate than Glenn Maxwell's ton) the Lankans looked on track to match Australia's 376.

Sri Lanka will not fear any South African bowlers but they might have some restless nights dreaming of ways to dismiss A.B. de Villiers cheaply.

If the pitch favours spin more than pace, which is likely,  then the Lankan Lions will start as favourites and South Africa will have to get 10 overs from specialist spinner Imran Tahir and another full quota from part timer J.P. Duminy, a tactic they will feel less than comfortable with.

This tournament has progressed quickly and unexpectedly since Australia touched up England in the opening fixture at the MCG. The cricket at times has been compelling and tense and high scoring has made matches exciting.

The associate teams have played their part superbly but now it is time for the big boys to feel the pressure of elimination, to lift their games to another level when the game is on the line and your next step could be onto an early flight home.