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.
Johnno
Guest
Late Change: Bring Shane Watson in ahead of Bevan, to strengthen the bowling even more, and Watto can tonk, and Steve Waugh is there for a crisis, so it's okay. Get 5 overs out of Watto real good quality, then 3 of Symonds, and 2 of steve waugh. Fine. That's a good side.
Johnno
Guest
Best OZ side 1990-2014 Hayden Gilchrist(WK) Dean Jones Ponting Steve Waugh Micheal Bevan Andrew Symonds Warne Lee Mcgrath Tait(when fully fit,was awesome in the 2007 ODI World Cup) Now that is one hell of a side. Good luck beating that side. You'd open the bowling with Lee/Tait, 2 150 km/hr, comeing at you new ball. Mgrath 1st change, with Warney, then Bevan/Steve Waugh/Andrew Symonds as back up.
Brendon
Guest
Mark Greatbatch? Are you serious? No Scott Styris? Kick Fatty Greatbatch, bump Crowe up to opener and put in Styris.
Brendon
Guest
Injuries a big question. NZ has some good players but no depth.
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
yes they were mentally just not in the game
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
They will indeed play all their games in NZ, including quarters and semis (except against Aus)
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
That would be one heck of a side
Bobbo7
Guest
Taylor, McCullum, Williamson are good bats and they have Anderson (fastest 1 day hundred ever), Neesham, Ronchi, Mills, Southee McCleneghan. N. McCullum. They don't have a team of stars but they have a couple and a balanced team around them. Williamson is a gun bat. He will be top 3 in the world in the years to come. An absolute class player and still only 23. His 145 against SA a while back is as good a 1 day innings and you will see. If NZ get to the final they have the players to win. A McCullum special could win the WC.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Good side.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
I haven't checked all the details, but im assuming they will play all their games at home, including a quarter final. maybe the semis are played in oz, but if they make it that far they will be as good a shot as anyone.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Coming to Craig's defence on this one. He only threw his name into the ring, which is fair enough, don't think he was calling on an immediate elevation to the national team. I personally think both White and Ferguson deserved to be mentioned. I would plump for White, but could be swayed.
Johnno
Guest
Best NZ ODI side 1990-2014 Mark Greatbach Brendon Mcullum (WK) Nathan Astle Martin Crowe Steve Fleming Chris Cairns Jacob Oram Dan Vettori Chris Harris Shane Bond Danny Morrison
Jason Cave
Guest
The West Indies are no chance now to win the ICC World Cup after the events of the past 24 hours in India. Who is REALLY running cricket in the Carribean- the West Indies Cricket Board, or the playing group?
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
McCullum, Taylor and Vettori too possibly
Nudge
Guest
Yeah I think they will do alright but can't see then winning it. Semi finals are as far as they could go. They just don't have enough superstar players
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
Among the associates, Afghanistan and Ireland seem the ones to do so for me. Remember the 2003 world cup when Kenya went on till the Semi Finals..if something like that happens this time, it would be a treat for a cricket lover :)
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
Apparently, World cup was always on Vettori's mind. In the same interview by ABD that I referred to in this article, he also mentioned how Vettori being his team mate at RCB in IPL mentioned how his focus was to play for NZ in the World Cup. Against Scotland, he didn't seem to be at his best. If he manages to do that, they will be quite strong as I said earlier.
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
yes, 90,000+ people at MCG in a trans tasman final would be fantastic!
Vibhor
Roar Rookie
but the thing about them is we never know which Pak side is going to turn up, but yes, recent performances have been really bad
ajay
Guest
and pakistan has more chances of making final ahahha mate what are u saying with useless bam bam and pirated misbah ? never although they have a quality of bowling attack but they need some odi batsman /?