THE NEW ZEALAND CRICKET TEAM
The New Zealand cricket team is popularly known as the Black Caps. The current captain of New Zealand Cricket team is Stephen Fleming. Stephen Fleming is the Black Caps’ most successful captain, having led New Zealand to 25 Test victories more than double that of any other captain. One characteristic aspect of New Zealand team is that it comprises many bits and pieces players; this probably explains the team’s better showing in one-day internationals than the tests.
History
The team played their first Test in 1930 vs England in Christchurch, and became the fifth Test nation. It took the team until 1956 to win a Test, against the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland. They played their first ODI in the 1972 -1973 season vs Pakistan in Christchurch. New Zealand began their journey into test cricket in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand. It took them 16 years and heaps of effort to register their first win- which came against West Indies in Eden Park in Auckland in 1956. Some of the legends attached to New Zealand are Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, Chris Cairns.
New Zealand did poise a good challenge in 1992 world cup and was expected to be in the finals of the same. But the bowlers let down the team and lost the semi-finals against Pakistan.
Performance
New Zealand’s performance in the last test has not been in the least commendable with a comprehensive test series loss again South Africa. In the ODIs, though the have been faring much better. The series against West Indies ended 4-1 in their favour. Stephan Fleming’s innovative captaincy tactics have qualified him for the best test captain’s contention. Nathan Astle, gifted batsman, can be extremely destructive on his day. He will enter the World Cup 2007 with lot of expectations to further New Zealand’s cause in the tournament. Then there is Chris Cairns, a gifted all rounder, who is subject to availability, since he has retired from test cricket and is known to carry injuires at the most inopportune moments.
All said and done, barring few senior players, New Zealand is a young side and is learning its cricket fast.
Chances in the 2007 World Cup
New Zealand does have the cricketing talent. But bulk of the players doesn’t perform in a single match. Cricket being a team game, needs team performance. Not many expect New Zealand to win the World Cup 2007, but not a few will deny that New Zealand has the potential to deal some telling blows to the best teams in the world. New Zealand should post a good performance in 2007 world cup.