New Zealand Preview

These days they may be known as the black caps, which is an odious name anyway, but since my early days, when Walter Hadlee led New Zealand on the 1949 tour of England the men from the antipodes have always been labeled Kiwis. And for those who down the years have followed the trials, tribulations and touches of trauma surrounding the Kiwi camp, World Cup appearances have always been tinged with the sort of hoped for success linked to semi-finals. Getting beyond that stage is going to require a miracle of sorts.

This year the Kiwis slipped unnoticed into Heathrow and later Southampton, where they start their warm up programme against Hampshire, who must also rank low on the list of sides in any of the three county series this England summer. On Monday, May 10 it is off to London and The Oval for a match against Surrey followed two days later with a game at picturesque Arundel against Sussex.

Perhaps the country quiet is what the Kiwis need as they think searchingly about this year’s event. On the World Cup 1999 stage they do not rate very highly and making the Super Sixes is, as Steve Rixon, the coach, suggests a "definite priority". After all in 1992 it was a semi-final spot and they almost upset losing finalists Australia in the quarter-finals in 1996.

So it is not without some confidence they face 1999 with a level of confidence. Beating South Africa in two of first three limited-overs matches was not such a bad omen for the more challenging series in England as after the tournament is the tour and four Tests. Yet to reach the Super Six is going to require an upset or two. Drawn in Group B they can hope for wins over rookies Bangladesh and Scotland. After that Steven Fleming’s side need to look into a crystal ball and hope they can pull off an upset or two. Beating any of the three fancied sides to make the Super Sixes is not a simple matter either. Australia, equal in the betting with South Africa, are top of Wisden Cricket Monthly’s form guide. The Kiwis have, however, moved to equal fifth which pushes them ahead of West Indies who have also had their ranking revamped. The Windies rediscovered some pride in the recent series against the Australians in the Caribbean and looked a more competitive side.

Injuries hit the Kiwis in the series against the Safs and robbed them of a couple of multitalented players in Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan: both specialist all-rounders, both world-ranked and competitive. They fit into the South African thinking of players who can make an impact at the World Cup. While Zimbabwe are seen as one of the sides which can reach the Super Sixes by eliminating champions Sri Lanka in Group A, there is no reason why the Kiwis cannot upset the balance of projected order in the tough Group B. Beating either the West Indies or Pakistan is neither out of the question nor as far-fetched as Zimbabwe’s call to get thorough their group just as lightly unscathed.

There are several gifted players in the New Zealand side, for apart from the elegant stylist Fleming, there is also Nathan Astle along with McMillan , Cairns and Chris Harris. As well as the wily Gavin Larsen, just the sort of dibbly-dobbly expert highly useful in England conditions. And when you consider the abilities of Adam Parore as well as Daniel Vettori, it is easy to see how the Kiwis are as well served by specialist players as any of the more fancied sides in the five week bash. Deon Nash, without the bothersome burden of the captaincy, is another whose all-round tactical know-how can create problems for opposing sides, especially in tight corners.

So do not rule out a place in the Super Sixes from June 4, they have the fire power which is driven more by competitive spirit and determination than anything emanating from the thermal regions of the shaky isles.

Statistics

• Team World Cup Records
• Team One-Day International Records
• New Zealand Statistics