New Zealand have firepower to lift World Cup title: McCullum

Published June 24, 2019
Former captain Brendon McCullum. — AFP/File
Former captain Brendon McCullum. — AFP/File

MANCHESTER: Former captain Brendon McCullum said New Zealand have the firepower to win the World Cup for the first time in their history.

The Black Caps won a nail-biter against the West Indies in Manchester on Saturday to stay unbeaten at the 50-over tournament in England and Wales.

New Zealand, often labelled as underdogs, reached their first World Cup final in 2015 under McCullum after six semi-final appearances, only to lose to Australia in Melbourne.

Kane Williamson’s side are almost certain of a place in the 2019 semi-finals already, sitting top of the 10-team table with five wins and a no result from six matches.

“Some people say underdogs but probably they don’t see New Zealand play that often. Broadcast-wise they are not seen as often as some of the other teams and hence they are out of sight out of mind thing,” McCullum said. “The World Cup historically for New Zealand has always been very, very good. I think we are second in most wins behind Australia in World Cup matches.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator said his former side were gaining in confidence after a fine start and would peak for the semi-finals.

Williamson, who replaced McCullum as captain in all three formats of the game after the veteran batsman’s retirement in 2016, has led by example at the World Cup with his elegant batting.

He produced another masterclass against the West Indies at Old Trafford, scoring 148 — his second successive century — as New Zealand scraped home by five runs.

McCullum said: “He is a magnificent player, turned into a fine leader. He is definitely more of an elegant type of cricketer. He is almost surgeon-like.

“He is among the most consistent players around we talk about. [Joe] Root and [Virat] Kohli and Steve Smith, all of them are quite similar. They are very much batsmen rather than power-hitters.”

McCullum believes the teams currently occupying the top four slots in the 10-team table — New Zealand, Australia, India and England — are likely to reach next month’s semi-finals, though he believes all the teams have vulnerabilities.

“I think the weather didn’t help but the back end of this tournament hopefully we will see some really exciting cricket and clear skies,” said McCullum. “To me it’s fair to say you are probably looking at England, India, Australia and New Zealand [in the semi-finals]. Whoever is able to seize that big moment when it does arise? I’m sure New Zealand will be confident they can.”

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.