wonder if Kiwis would take a deeper interest in cricket if the Black Caps were to win the WC. Over the decades we've seen some great individual cricketers emerge from the land of the long white cloud, players who could take a place amongst the greats of traditional cricketing nations and more than hold their own, here I have to pause and make mention of the great Sir Richard Hadlee, the Crowe brothers, Martin especially who we've spoken of during this WC, Danny Morrison who always gave 101% effort, the great Damien Fleming, Daniel Vettori and lastly Shane Bond. I've been lucky enough to see all of them play. Apologies if I've missed anyone but I doubt it.
Right now the NZ team stands at the doorstep of cricketing greatness. Pound for pound they have never had a team as good as the one facing Australia.
Can they win?....in cricketing terms it's a maybe. Under normal conditions, that meaning the weather holds up I would have to conclude it's a firm, no.
About two years ago Australia were in the doldrums as far as cricket goes, Mickey Arthur got the chop, Darren Lehman came along and after a stutter and a splutter it's fair to say Australia have pulled themselves up from the socks and have arrived. Although they are not a great team as yet, the signs of an emerging great team is starting to poke it's neck.
That aside there are other factors conspiring against the Black Caps, for starters the MCG is a huge ground, probably one of crickets biggest if not the biggest, a size unfamiliar to the Black Caps. Only a fool would underestimate it's impact.
As per usual the 22 meter strip has a huge say in determining the winner, bounce will favour the Oz attack and batting moreso than the Black Caps. The Black Caps don't want to bat first.
Lastly, McCullum will have to be at his very best, a daunting task facing the likes of Starc, Hazlewood and Johnson, the best attack in the completion in my not so humble opinion( I've said so many times previously) but if he wants to claim his place alongside of the Kiwi greats I have mentioned then he will have to play a game changer. I don't believe he will.
Prior to the CWC I nominated 3 teams and my order was..
1) Australia
2) New Zealand
3) South Africa
I never rated India as a chance.
All things being equal I can't see the Black Caps winning and it would not surprise me at all if it's a one sided contest. NZ however can walk tall having achieved a spot in the final against more traditional cricketing nations.
For all of crickets lovers I hope I'm wrong and that it turns into an enthralling contest so that the 2015 CWC can be remembered as the greatest WC ever....that's if it already hasn't attained that status.
I'll be watching with great interest.....I hope all of NZ will as well.
GL to both teams.