Cricket World Cup: Three questions - Did Black Caps tick all the boxes?

Kane Williamson, left, and Martin Guptill in action during New Zealand's run chase at McLean Park. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Herald cricket writers Dylan Cleaver, Andrew Alderson and David Leggat answer three burning questions on the Black Caps' performance at the Cricket World Cup.

1. Did New Zealand tick all the required boxes on Sunday?

Dylan Cleaver: No. Losing the toss was a shocker and it was no surprise to see former Black Caps coach Andy Moles elect to bat, knowing NZ desperately wanted to hit first. Some of the bowlers, particularly Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult, got through decent spells but there was more than a little sloppiness in the field to keep the brainstrust on edge. The batting was acceptable. Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott finally spent some time at the crease, without either of them setting the cup alight.

Andrew Alderson: No. Ideally they need another decent innings batting first or chasing before the quarter-finals. Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill spent some decent time batting but I'd like to see Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi testing their capabilities in the final 10 overs. Bowling-wise they are in command. The required damage had been done by the time Afghanistan were 59-6 in the 20th. A bonus was Adam Milne bowling 10 overs.

David Leggat:
They don't believe there are boxes to be ticked. It's just a media thing, apparently. Just keep winning and all is well, seems the mantra from within the camp. Give Martin Guptill a tick for his half century, and Adam Milne for a decent 10 overs work. Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott? More time in the middle please.

2. They will top Pool A, so what do they want to achieve against Bangladesh in Hamilton?

Cleaver: They need to bat first, for a start, and in a perfect world they'd post 350-5 with all the top seven facing at least 30 balls. It's probably not going to happen, but they're so out of practice setting totals, this would be a dream scenario. On the bowling side it's about remaining fit and in rhythm, while the fielding must revert to its brilliant best.

Alderson: Win toss. Score 350-7 with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor there until the 35th over. Dismiss Bangladesh within 40 overs. Get at least seven overs out of Milne and a few from Anderson, Grant Elliott and Williamson. Buy popcorn. Scout Pakistan v Ireland and West Indies v UAE on Sunday to gauge quarter-final opponent.

Leggat: Rattle up 300 plus, go through their batting paces with purpose. The bowling has been near exemplary, which in a sense hasn't helped the batsmen. More please, from Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi. The bowling is in good nick, so too the fielding, despite Guptill's rare drop against Afghanistan.

3. Should the ACC be banned from broadcasting if they were found to have breached accreditation protocols at McLean Park?

Cleaver: Yes of course. Having a chat to an umpire during a drinks break is what we deadly serious cricket followers call a Gateway Offence. Before you know it, Leigh Hart would have been arranging spread bets and asking players when they lost their virginity. No, get rid of them. Heaven forbid anybody trying to make cricket fun for the under-40 crowd.

Alderson: On the current confusing versions of events? No. Seems like a victimless 'crime'. The words 'sledgehammer' and 'walnut' spring to mind. Did the players feel threatened? Surely the ICC has bigger problems to deal with? Or is the tournament so long that this incident provides the perfect justification to keep employees busy?

Leggat: No. The slap on the wrist should be light. Equally in these security conscious times, a repeat, however trivial, is likely to be treated far more harshly. Not fair? That's life these days.