Back in 1992, there wasn’t much pressure on co-hosts New Zealand to perform well at the cricket World Cup.
Australia were the reigning champs and being the other host nation, the pressure on them to succeed was immense.
History tells us it was a poor campaign for the Australians, who failed to make the semis.
New Zealand on the other hand were undefeated going into the final group match, having had the luxury of playing every game at home – much like this World Cup.
Pakistan beat them in that last match before the knockout phase, and then did it again in the semis. Pakistan by that stage were on a roll and went on to win the final easily.
That New Zealand side was experienced and led astutely by Martin Crowe, who also batted brilliantly – who can forget his century in the opening match against Australia? That victory made the rest of the tournament sit up and take notice, along with the decision to open the bowling with spinner Dipak Patel.
There was also the move to bring in attacking left-hander Mark Greatbatch to open the batting with Rod Latham, whose son is playing Test cricket now. Greatbatch became the first of the aggressive openers to give his team a flying start.
They also had batting all-rounder Chris Harris, the talented but inconsistent Chris Cairns, a couple of old stagers in the middle order in Ken Rutherford and Andrew Jones, and two reliable one-day bowling specialists in Willie Watson and Gavin Larsen.
The current New Zealand batting line-up seems to be more explosive overall than 23 years ago, with Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Ronchi and the improving batting all-rounder Corey Anderson, anchored by Brendon McCullum who is approaching if not exceeding Martin Crowe’s form.
In Trent Boult there’s firepower in the bowling ranks, and he, Kyle Mills and Tim Southee have become a formidable attack.
The current team has the ability to finally get New Zealand to their first World Cup final.
Like ’92, they play every game at home, with Australia the biggest danger in their pool. England would like to say something about that, but even this early in the tournament it’s clear England aren’t seem capable of going further than the quarter finals.
With the cyclone looming, there’s a very good chance that the Australian and Bangladesh match at the Gabba on the weekend will be a wash out. If the Black Caps are undefeated going into their match against Australia, and they will be favourites to do so, the top of group A will be decided in that contest.
Thus the team that loses that game will likely end up facing South Africa in the quarter-finals.
There are three clear-cut favourites to take the trophy, if there is such a thing, and New Zealand are right up to their ears in this World Cup.
West
Guest
Australia are tough to beat at the best of times, at home It takes a very special performance. Stranger things have happen.
Nick
Guest
Good point! You're only as good as your last match! Hence NZ are a better test side than australia. Good to know
Nick
Guest
You're implying southee is better than Hadlee? Arguably the greatest swing bowler of all time? Wow
jammel
Guest
Yep Bobbo7 - the better players that you list tend to be those from the past - i.e. Crowe, Hadlee, Bond, Turner, Cairns. And Fleming - who you don't list. McCullum is good. And Vettori of course. But personally I am not sold yet on Willliamson or Taylor and certainly not on Ronchi. Let's see. I certainly don't view this Kiwi side as a "great" side though.
ret
Guest
Conditions in NZ are so different to here, that it's hard to compare this side to earlier teams who had success away from home. Right now I think they will defeat Aus on Saturday, but if both teams make the final (a big "if" as much can change during a CWC), then I feel the homeground advantage may prove decisive.
13th Man
Guest
Can't believe you think Ronchi is that good. Couldn't get a game for WA so he went to NZ. Yes he has improved with the bat and he was always a good keeper but I can name 3 or 4 keepers in Australia better than Ronchi.
WEST
Roar Guru
I've follow NZ cricket my entire life, so ive seen NZ in a few world cups. NZ can only make the semis before being bungled out. NZ have made the semi finals 6 times in the World Cup, so if they claim the cup many would say this team is the best ever!!!.... As far as claiming the title goes. However.. Corey Anderson holds record for the second fastest century in the history of One Day International cricket or any other format of international cricket. Playing against West Indies, he scored his ton in just 36 balls. In a One Day International in 1996, the entire New Zealand team were awarded man of the match in this match against the West Indies, the first such occasion. Andrew Jones and Martin Crowe held the highest ever 3rd-wicket partnership in Tests which at the time was the highest partnership for any wicket. Brian Hastings and Richard Collinge together scored 151 runs for the highest ever 10th-wicket partnership against Pakistan in 1973. Nathan Astle scored Test cricket's fastest ever double century versus England Christchurch 2002. He scored 200 off 153 balls with the second hundred coming off just 39 deliveries. He was eventually out for 222—the dreaded double Nelson. He knocked the first hundred off 114 balls. Astle smashed the record by 59 balls, previously held by Adam Gilchrist Australia vs South Africa Johannesburg 2002. NZ can have its moments.
WEST
Roar Guru
Yes and no. If they claim the World Cup I'd say maybe.... The best era of NZ cricket for example When (R. Hadlee and M. Crowe) put in a match winning performances and other players making good contributions is New Zealand versus Australia, 1985 at Brisbane. In Australia's first innings Hadlee took 9–52. In New Zealand's only turn at bat, M Crowe scored 188 and John F. Reid 108. Edgar, Wright, Coney, Jeff Crowe, V. Brown, and Hadlee scored between 17 and 54*. In Australia's second innings, Hadlee took 6–71 and Chatfield 3–75. New Zealand won by an innings and 41 runs. Hard to top that kind of performance.
Bobbo7
Guest
Very funny Don. But I feel he may "rain" all over the Aussies next week
Bobbo7
Guest
A few would arguably... McCullum, Williamson, Ronchi, Boult, Vettori, Taylor Add in Crowe, Hadlee, Bond, Turner, Cairns you got yourself a good side
Don Freo
Guest
I agree DMC. James did downplay that "brilliantly"... and astutely.
jammel
Guest
I don't see this Kiwi mob as a "great" team….! (as some people like Spruce Moose are calling them) They are good, but behind Australia in terms of quality. Probably on a par with South Africa. They'll go far, but I wouldn't be backing them to take out the tournament - remember, it's a World Cup! I think the Kiwis will love the home support and postage-sized grounds. But when they come up against quality bowling it might be a different story; under pressure; in Australia; on bigger grounds. When you look at the great Kiwi players, there is really only Hadlee. A few tiers down, there's Martin Crowe, and then probably the likes of Bond/Fleming/McCullum/Vettori. How many of the current crop would be in an all-time NZ ODI XI?
colvin
Guest
Clark... and the batsman was wearing a helmet.
Don Freo
Guest
Hey Clark! Does NZ have pharmacies? You need to take a pill. Lighten up. 3 angry posts in a row. Maybe you should wait until we play each other.
Clark
Guest
Haddin is crap mate
Clark
Guest
There's the standard "nobody is good until they beat us because we are just so damn good" response.... Does Australia still suck in the Sub Continient?? I assume so... I also love this obsession Australia has with fast bowling , despite the fact none of them reverse swing and are incredibly wayward. You create pressure by bowling dot balls, Southee and Boult at the moment are the most consistent in doing so. You also need to remember that Johnson last time he played ODI cricket in NZ lost his mind and head butted a batsman, says a lot really.
Clark
Guest
Yeah sorry I should have been more specific. I usually just refer to any slow bowler as a "spinner", regardless of the turn they actually produce haha.
Don Freo
Guest
Yeah...that Indian side isn't very nice.
Don Freo
Guest
As long as the wee bit doesn't constitute the actual drinks.
Bobbo7
Guest
Too many NZers in your team there Don. McCullum a short wee fellow so ideal to carry the drinks