New Zealand Ends One-Day International Tournament Success Drought
[ Statistics ]
More than 27 years ago, New Zealand ventured into the world of One-Day International cricket with a win in a one-off match against Pakistan at Lancaster Park.
Two years later, the inaugural World Cup in England became the first event which brought together more than two teams in the same place for One-Day Internationals. With the Asian countries still finding their feet in the abridged version of the game, New Zealand performed creditably before losing in the semi-finals to the West Indies.
However, 25 years, and another 29 tournaments (defined as consisting of three or more teams) later, New Zealand had still yet to record a victory. Until now.
Thanks largely to the pioneering annual tri-series in Australia, the ambitious and successful venture by Abdul Rahman Bukhatir in Sharjah, and in recent times the increased popularity of the shortened game in Asia in the 1990s, the number of tournaments to be played in has markedly increased. But, despite playing in as many as 15 tournaments consisting of only three teams, New Zealand struggled to even come close to victory in any of them.
Nine times they managed to finish outright last, seven of these in triangular series - three in a row in 1997/98 to complete a run of four straight tournaments finishing behind everyone else.
This time however, within sight of the win, New Zealand held their nerve, guided ably by Chris Cairns and Chris Harris, just when their resolve was coming into question halfway through the epic chase.
The ICC KnockOut triumph sees New Zealand become the ninth Test playing nation to notch up a One-Day International tournament success - only ahead of the newly promoted Bangladesh.
One-Day International tournaments played by New Zealand:
in Kenya (against Aus, Bdesh, Eng, Ind, Kenya, Pak, RSA, SL, WI, Zim)
The John Player Triangular Tournament was played at the same time as the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. The Asia Cup final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka doubled up as the second match of this tournament. All three teams finished with 4 points and with no final scheduled, Pakistan won on superior average run rate.
Key
Aus: Australia Bdesh: Bangladesh Can: Canada EA: East Africa Eng: England Ind: India
NL: Netherlands Pak: Pakistan RSA: South Africa Scot: Scotland SL: Sri Lanka UAE: United Arab Emirates