KEY POINTS:
All hail, Ross Taylor! The young man with the cricketing world at his feet wrote another chapter of New Zealand sporting history by leading his side to a record-breaking win over Australia and their first Chappell-Hadlee series title.
So is NZ now on track for World Cup glory?
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Chris
I think all the bandwagon jumpers need to back the truck up a bit and get a grip of reality. Yes we have had 2 good wins against the Aussie B team.That takes us to 4 wins in 24 matches against the Aussies in the last couple of years not a record to be proud of is it. The Aussies bowling attack is pretty much what is going to the World Cup but the side was missing the two men who run the cutter Ricky Ponting the Captain and best batsman in the world and Adam Gilchrist the VC wicket keeper and opening Bat. These two are the ones who set the field do the bowling changes and gee the team up etc. Both were missing. add to that Micheal Clarke and Andrew Symonds the 2 best fielders in world cricket and good change bowlers and attacking batsmen both missing as well. The Aussies made it clear before coming over for the Chappell Hadlee that they didnt want to be here for these 3 games and didnt really care about the games.It really shows how small minded and insular Kiwis are. A good performance by the Black Caps though. Will they win the world Cup ? Most likely not. Will the Aussies still win the cricket world cup? Probably.
Atul Jindal
I would say NZ cricket is not reached up to that level where we can easily dream of winning World Cup. No doubt couple of last games showed outstanding performance of NZ cricket but still has to achieve a target miles away. Anyways my best wishes are with Black Caps for Carribean fight.
Raghav
NZ performed well this summer and were just bad luck to not get positive results. They did not do anything special against AUS in Chappell-Hadlee. They just got their luck on their side. I do not accept people who says that AUS was depleted without their main players. Please remember that they are playing with a replacements and with their 11. I think even though they played in the series, that might not affect the result. We are in form at the right point and we can continue performing consistently as we have got good team players. All the best Black caps!
Greg Hanson
It is ridiculous to say that New Zealand has no chance of winning the world cup. If you believe this then you clearly have absolutely no idea. You people just get on the band wagon when it comes to cmplaining, bagging and putting down losing New Zealand sporting sides. Tis is what is fundamentally wrong with New Zealand sport and the very reason in which we lose all the time. We are mentally weak (in all sorts) because of this. Anybody who knows crcket knows that anything can happen and there are at least 6 teams in this world cup who have a very good chance of winning.
Andy
So can we win? Te answer is yes. Not because we are the best, but because of the grounds and conditions that we will be playing in. The slow pitches are perfect for guys like Styris, Mcmillan Vettori and Jeets. The small boundries will suit strikers like Oram, Macca, Vincent and Mccallum, and now we have momentum, a crucial factor at World Cups. But for us to be really competitive rests on one persons shoulders, our Captain. Can he lead us to our first World Cup? I say yes, but only if he bats and leads our troops decisively, other Black Caps appear to be hitting form, if Fleming ,our only real world-class batsman, can come to the party we will win..and we will be playing those Sri Lankans again in the final as they are the only other team with the big strikers(Jayasuria, Sangakara) and the slower bowlers (Jayasuria and of course Murali) that can match us. I truly dont think the Aussies or the S.Africans have the slower type bowlers to be effective, their fast bowlers will be pounded all over the Park. India are in disarray at the moment, as are Pakistan (unless Afridi goes nuts) England?? -Montys got skills and Pietersen and Flintoff will hit boundaries but their other pace bowlers dont frighten.Windies?, Gayle will be the player of the Tournament, and of course there is Lara but not enough experience.
Dinesh
Definitely no. One win is not required for NZ to become world heroes. Aussies were without many key players. They are now wounded soldiers. They are gonna come back strong at you. Lets wait and watch.
S Mohanakrishnan
Why not? They have received a tremendous boost from the victory in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. The run chase was great and the team showed that they can beat the best on their day. However, they need to look at some changes in the way they play. First Fleming should not open the innings. It is apparent that he has lost the ability to read the new ball well. He may be better off batting 3 or 4 down when the ball has lost its shine. He is still a great batsman but needs to adjust his game. Ross Taylor and Lou Vincent should be developed as the opening pair. Both of them play courageously and are not afraid of the new ball. They have good techniques and with better training they can shine in the opening role. Also Vettori needs a good support with a permanent second spinner. Jeetan Patel should not be dropped from any match. He should be given the time to get into stride and study the various batsmen of the other teams. What better way than to play in all matches and keep bowling, which is probably how Vettori became a great bowler himself. And Patel is an asset on the field as well. McCullum has cemented his place lower down in the order and should be playing like Michael Bevan did, steadying the innings when necessary and accelerating at the right time. The team should also have a few team building exercises so they become comfortable with each other. And most important, they should enjoy their cricket and there should be more fun visible on the field.
Fili Tupua
So, after all thats been said in terms of criticising our boyz, I suppose it worked given the fact they have just smashed the baggy green "cRaps" twice in three days! A magnificent turnaround not only how they completely demolished the Aussies attack on Friday, but the manner in the way they chased a mammoth score two days later speaks volumes of just how good our Black Caps can be and they certainly emphasised without a doubt who the better team was over the weekend - just awesome! Every player contributed [thats more like it], so here is a massive congratulations to our boys from all of us Kiwis in Sydney and hope they continue the rout tomorrow. This is just what the doctor ordered.
Diana
Fantastic effort by the guys especially sitting here in Sydney with my Australian boyfriend. What a fantastic gloat. I just hope this pathetic display by the Australians doesnt cost us at the world cup due to a lack of preparation because there was no good opposition!
Martyn
No. Dont get me wrong, there is no doubt the series win over a seriously depleted, almost second string Aussie team was a morale booster, but it would be a mistake to read too much into that victory. The real question is, does the team have what it takes to step up when it matters the most? I think the jury is out on that one.
Russell Dyson
The black caps have no show of winning the cricket world cup. It is like saying Wales is good enough to win a rugby world cup. Na simply not going to happen.
Douglas
NZ will make it to the finals this world cup and has a good chance of taking home the cup. What people seem to be forgetting is that the Blackcaps almost always' been seen as an underdog, which gives them an edge (look back at the past world cups, you will notice they have a tendency to get quiet far in the tournament). Ever better that they have been in the slump of late....no where to go but up and will peak during the semi final against the Aussies. Fleming will make 3 centuries, 2 half centuries and will be the highest run scorer in the tournament. He will also come second in terms of catches.
Callum Smellie
I have been present at Eden Park for a number of disappointing losses over the years, but yesterdays Black Caps effort went a long way towards making up for them. However, a World Cup win is still a long way away. Lets give credit where credit is due for two great games of cricket from the national side, but also remember that they will need to do twice as well again to win in the Caribbean.
Brain
No worries Aussie boys. SShould get great odds for the world cup. Not much good gambling on a certainty. It sometimes takes more skill to lose (and look like you were trying) than it is to win - especially against lowly ranked opposition.
Richard
Well I was there and I saw it with my own eyes! New Zealand did well. It was a great 117 by Taylor, but it so needed McMillan to do what he did! He pulled the game back from the impossible to the possible and then McCullum finished them off. I think it was the best cricket I have ever seen at Eden Park.
Rob Duncan
Dont get carried away NZ. Playing against an understrength Australian team is no great feat. When the likes of Ponting,Symonds,Gilchrist,Lee are omitted from the side of course there will be a contest,espescially on rugby grounds!
Simon Oswald
This is the year! If big Jake Oram proves fit we will have the team to lift the world cup. The team has been improving constantly with each game against AUS and the past 2 wins have shown we have what it takes. It has been great following it online and may this year bring success for both NZ cricket and rugby.