Sport - Cricket

Preview: New Zealand

Shane Bond

8 days to go ...

The Kiwis can sting, after taking the sting off the opposition. They can be real deceptive, make no mistake about that.

Indeed, Stephen Fleming's men will be a distinct threat in the World Cup, for they understand the dynamics of limited-overs cricket. It's collective strength that often has the final say.

In other words, they realise what it takes to win in the ODIs. And this, more than any outstanding talent, will be their biggest strength when the battles get hot in the Southern Africa.

The New Zealanders bowl to a consistent line, are often brilliant on the field, hold sensational catches, and run stunningly between wickets. They do get the simple things right.

If you ever catch a glimpse of their one-day cricket, you will see only commitment and heart there. That will to overachieve.

Yes, the sum is invariably more than the parts when it comes to New Zealand, and its performances in the World Cup, particularly the astonishing run in the '92 edition, are reflective of this. The Kiwis may have never won, yet, theirs is a consistent record, and they are a side that means business. In group `B' where South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies are New Zealand's chief rivals, you would expect the team to make the `Super Six.'

Chris Cairns

It is a well knit outfit, has a fine, attacking captain in Stephen Fleming and the team's planning and execution are often exemplary. The Kiwis do burn midnight oil, studying the opposition's pluses and minuses, and go in with a definite, clear-cut gameplan. It is here that New Zealand scores over its more talented rivals.

The rise of Shane Bond, who has added a new dimension to the attack with his fiery pace and mean reverse swinging yorkers, that can prove so deadly at the `death', is a welcome development for the Kiwis, so is the return of the inspirational Chris Cairns from a career threatening knee injury, even if it is primarily as a batsman. If Cairns discovers his range and timing in the middle-order, he could still be destructive.

However, the side's depth is its biggest allay - New Zealand has so many cricketers who provide the side viable options. The tall Jacob Oram, such a revelation against India, Andre Adams, Scott Styris, the wily Chris Harris, Kyle Mills, are all cricketers who can bowl and bat. Not to forget the combative wicketkeeper batsman Brenden McCullum. In the Kiwi attack, persistent paceman Darryl Tuffey would be aiming to build on his fine displays against India, while quality left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, a handy lower order bat as well, may have a key role to perform.

The Kiwi batting faltered in the home series preceding the World Cup and dashing opening batsman Nathan Astle's return to form after his recovery from a troublesome knee is of vital importance to the side, for this Canterbury firecracker provides the side with the early momentum. His opening partner, the left-handed Fleming, can wade into an attack too, but the Kiwis will be hoping that Craig McMillan finds his touch in the middle-order, for he can, with his unorthodox ways, disrupt the line and rhythm of the bowlers.

The Kiwis have a crunch game against Sri Lanka at Bloemfontein on February 10, Muttiah Muralitharan's wicked off-spin represents the greatest danger for Fleming's men here, meet West Indies at Port Elizabeth (Feb. 13), and South Africa, so often the side's nemesis, in Johannesburg (Feb. 16).

It is a tough draw, the first three `make or break' games will prove decisive to the New Zealanders, yet given their resilience and spirit, the Kiwis could well fly. - S. Dinakar

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