Kiwis are a tiny nation in a beautiful land down under. There you find more sheep than people. But they are a very strong sporting nation as far as Ruby and Football are concerned. Black Caps are fare some team in rugby and Kiwis are admired as competitive cricketers at all format of the game. In almost all world cup they appear very competitive but somehow or other cannot go to the distance. Over the years they produced so many wonderful cricketers from Glen Turner to Kane Williamson from great Sir Ricahrd Hadlee to Daniel Vettori. But they could not win the world cup and even could not feature in the final over the last ten competitions. The closer they could finish were third in 1992 and 2007. When New Zealand and Australia were awarded the right to host 2015 world cup, another window of opportunity opened for the Kiwis to revive and rejuvenate. World cup cricket is coming to down under when the team has just growing in composure winning tests at home and abroad and several fringe players maturing. New Zealand in recent times beat Pakistan in UAE and won test against strong Sri Lanka at home. They are a very difficult team to beat in home condition any way. New Zealand as cohost is among the favorites to win 2015 World Cup.
Return of the world cup worked as a catalyst for reconstruction of earthquake of Christchurch. The home of New Zealand Cricket at Lancaster Park was so badly damaged that it required a SOS for corporate sponsorship to reconstruct it. But soon it was proved beyond reconstruction. Agley Oval, in its new guise is the location for the tournament’s opening match a\between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play West Indies, England will play against Scotland at Christchurch later on the venue.
One must remember New Zealand progressing smoothly in 1992 world cup till rising star of Pakistan Inzamamul Huq announced his arrival at world stage by stealing the semifinal away from the home team at the very last minute. New Zealand could never appear in a world cup final.
This year the team looks very mobile and dynamic. There is every reason to dream and hope. The 15 men squad announced have quality and class to challenge the best of the best with all round ability.
New Zealand Squad:
Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ross Taylor
Flamboyant Brendon Mcullum who alone can destroy any bowling attack on his day will lead the pack which has Martin Guptil and Tom Latham as specialist openers. Guptil is experienced campaigner and Latham off late played some excellent innings. If necessary captain himself may opt to open if situation demands .Grant Elliot, Ross Taylor and Kane Williams makes a very formidable middle order. Ross needs no introduction to cricket world and Kane Williams has started rocking and rolling. According to his skipper he may even turn up as the best New Zealander ever to bat in World Cricket if he can continue the way he is playing. Corey Anderson is a blaster and holds the record of the fastest ODI century. Luke Ronchi is a useful wicket Keeper batsman. Vettori and Nathan McCollum are no mug with the bat. Batting should not be of much concern for New Zealand in Australia or New Zealand.
New Zealand is also a very smart fielding unit. The bowling may not as potent like Australia, South Africa or even Pakistan. But on New Zealand condition Trent Boult, Kyle Mills , Tim Southee are useful operators. Adam Milne has raw pace and will get plenty of assistance on Australian Wickets. Daniel Vittorio is still one of top left arm spinner and extremely miserly with his length and line. Nathan McCullum is also a more than useful spinner. I like to rate New Zealand as one of the four semifinalists. Whether they can go beyond will depend on how they can absorb the pressure of crunch matches. New Zealand is in a group which has Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland. I find no reason why they cannot easily advance to quarter finals. Beating New Zealand on their own backyard will be extremely difficult. Their first match the world cup opener against Sri Lanka will be extremely important. True the team does not have superstars like India, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan but they have more utility players than most. I will not be surprised if New Zealand go all the way to MCG even for the final for the first time in their cricket history.
BDST: 0817 HRS, JAN 11, 2015
