Full marks to New Zealand for beginning their maiden World Cup hunt with
roaring confidence notwithstanding some worrying moments during the onset of chasing
a modest total of 207 set by the English team. Kiwis are a very strong contender
for the World Cup this time around as they are riding high on the recent
success against the World Champions Australia during an ODI series.
The Black Caps have always given their best in the World Cup
and have reached semifinals four times. It is their hard luck that they have
yet to clinch the most coveted cup of cricket. Many great Kiwis have graced
the game of cricket. Sir Sutcliff, Glenn Turner, Sir Richard Hadlee,
Martin Crowe and Stephen Flaming (current captain) are some of
the players who will go down in the history of the game as great ones.
Saturday's encounter between two good teams loudly proved Kiwis'
claim for the World Cup. England players, barring Pietersen, Nixon and Plunkett,
surrendered meekly before the bowling battery of the New Zealand aggressively
led by Shane Bond who conceded only 19 runs in 10 overs besides claming
the prized wickets of in-form Pietersen and Flintoff and that too in one over.
New Zealand all-rounders Scott Styris and Jacob Oram
barvely guided their team to a comfortable six-wicket victory against three-times
World Cup finalist.
The Black Caps are a blend of youth and experience and it won't
be surprising if elegant southpaw Stephen Flaming hold aloft the World Cup trophy
on April 28 in Barbados.
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