KEY POINTS:
Events this week dictate once and for all that it is time to stop glossing over the truth about the Black Caps.
I recall highlighting potential failings before the World Cup campaign and, unfortunately, my fears have been realised. That said, this is New Zealand's best ODI side and it will be a great one if the talents of Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Shane Bond and co are properly harnessed.
But the starting point for New Zealand Cricket, in dealing with the World Cup failure, is to accept that change is needed. Stephen Fleming has taken the lead by falling on his sword - a decision I suspect he had mapped out for some time.
Clearly in his opinion this campaign has failed and it is time to hand over the reins, most likely to Dan Vettori. Finally, common sense has prevailed. Commentators and supporters who hysterically protested that Fleming was the only man for the job have been left looking a little silly.
Time will tell if Fleming gets his wish to remain in charge of the test side, but it is hard to see the point. Change means just that. The culture needs to change and Fleming is no longer the natural leader. Even he now seems to agree.
What happened in the West Indies isn't good enough. Our campaign was a lemon. We had a brilliant preparation, even getting the chance to slap around an Australia B team here to boost our confidence. Our build up was perfect, involving a load of games against the leading contenders, Australia and Sri Lanka.
Our World Cup draw may have been the best for any side in the history of the tournament. We were able to float through the Super Eight series, with a couple of major contenders having already been swept away.
The Black Caps were then given the chance to rev up their charge into the semifinals by playing the best sides at the tournament.
And how did we respond? By suffering a record-breaking defeat against Australia, then failing to give Sri Lanka anything like a run for their money in the sudden death game.
The distressing thing from my point of view is that New Zealanders seem happy to accept coming fourth out of eight, even though making the semifinals was a doddle. As for the Black Caps themselves, it's fine to talk yourself up after a big defeat but you have to back it up with action.
The Black Caps have had a shocker and not just at this tournament. Change has been needed for a long time, starting with a reinforcement of the top order batting. Hopefully this disaster may be the catalyst.
It is folly to rely on the middle order blasting away for victory, because when the pressure comes on, such as in a World Cup semifinal, it is very difficult to come up with the goods.
And a lot of drivel has emanated from within and around this team.
After New Zealand was put to the sword by Australia in their last Super Eight game, reality was simply brushed off. But the truth is, if there is a rock in your way, you can talk all you like, but in the morning the rock is still in your way.
You have to find a path over or around it, and New Zealand have never looked like doing that.
After years of supposed planning, the strategy for winning the tournament - should we have made the final - was to hope that Australia had an off day. Do you really think Ricky Ponting might wake up on the morning of the World Cup final and decide he's not really up for it?
While we're on the subject of Ponting, try as he might to talk things up, you would never find the Aussie captain full of the joys of spring after a massive defeat.
Having formed a business link recently with the legendary Australian one-day cricketer Michael Bevan, I have been lucky enough to get a close look at how he, and Australians generally, operate. It has been a revelation.
He is so clear, concise and direct about what needs to be done and how to do it. This is very much the Australian way.
New Zealand Cricket and new chief executive Justin Vaughan take note. Or are we happy for the national side to keep trundling along, remaining in the hunt for World Cup semifinals they are never likely to win?
