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In an interview ahead of South Africa’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand, AB de Villiers said that New Zealand are “one of the favourites” for the 2015 World Cup.
Are New Zealand really favourites and not just the dark horses this time around?
They might currently be at number seven in the latest ICC ODI rankings, but if rankings could decide who won World Cups, South Africa would have won it at least once by now.
New Zealand has been in the World Cup semi-finals on six occasions (1975, 1979, 1993, 1999, 2007 and 2011), a feat no other team has achieved.
De Villiers knows a thing or two about New Zealand’s knack for punching above their weight – the Kiwis ousting South Africa in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup. One could argue that game was more a case of South Africa choking in the knockout stages, but New Zealand’s ability to perform in big tournaments cannot be doubted.
The current New Zealand ODI team boasts fearless young cricketers in Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. Add to that the experience Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor bring to the table, and New Zealand are a force to be reckoned with. Throw veteran spinner Daniel Vettori’s possible comeback into the mix and the squad is strengthened further.
New Zealand also have the advantage of playing at home this time. In 2011, India proved it was indeed possible to win a World Cup despite the pressure of expectations from the home crowd. New Zealand will play all their league games at home, and if they manage to make the quarter-finals and semi-finals, they will play those at home too.
They should be quite comfortable with the Australian pitches as well, which suit their bowling attack, and they should benefit from the crowd support whether at home or in Australia.
The last time New Zealand hosted the world event they came agonisingly close to winning it, making them all the more desperate to finally get their hands on the coveted trophy. That they thrashed the current World champions India 4-0 at home earlier this year would have done their confidence no harm.
For me, New Zealand definitely have a strong chance this time.
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