KEY POINTS:
So, that was the Aussies, eh? In retrospect, this match was like having a glass of milk mid-afternoon before your big night out - the big night being the semifinal versus the Sri Lankans.
We have a great team - never mind the Australian result. What the Black
Caps are showing overall, even given a bad day yesterday, is the result of hard work and growth of confidence, that most vital quality.
Remember what they achieved against South Africa after the loss to Sri Lanka - this team has rebuilt professionally over 24 months and here we have an almost-finished product. Yesterday's match is therefore only a match.
In the past, if we'd lost, it might be regarded as a bit of a crisis point. Not now.
Cricket is such a fickle game and, as a player, you feel the momentum against you and a bad day is always going to be a challenge. That's where building your own confidence is the crucial factor in getting better. That's why this team are still capable of going all the way. If we get past the 'Lanks', it is one game of one-day cricket. Anything can happen. Simple as that.
I can't wait for the semifinal. Shane Bond is in great form and it will be good to watch Franky (James Franklin) and Mac (Craig McMillan) with the golden arm and, of course, the growing strike rate of Scott Styris.
Isn't it nice seeing one of our boys right up there with tournament aggregates among the biggest names in the world?
However, the Sri Lankans are dangerous. They know us well and most times we play them, it's been an easy win either way.
They are maybe up on us lately so surely this one will go our way.
They are a big momentum team, with Sanath Jayasuriya the main mover. I think our strategy has to be to strike early when fielding and batting. Bond has Jayasuriya fixed up, I think. That clash will be crucial but I figure Bond to win it - catch it, boys.
Kumara Sangakkara is pure class but I have seen him fishing outside-off early in recent matches and would bowl there to him.
If we win the toss and it's been wet overnight, it will be tempting to bowl first to get more assistance with the swing. Even better if we play on a wicket with a little more pace and bounce.
But we have to take them on with the bat too.
My strategy is to try to get on top of a bowler like Chaminda Vaas who is so consistent, settles quickly onto a length and is dangerous early on. We have to unsettle him with confidence and pressure him.
Then he always goes for a slower ball and usually misses - so there are your eight runs plus off an early over. Knock the shine off and then watch second slip go to extra cover.
The boys also have to keep sweeping Muttiah Muralitharan. He is just so hard to come down the wicket to and that's why he is a threat - you have to play across the line to him which means you aren't playing with the full face of the bat. That's why he is a world champion bowler, his ability to bring the false stroke.
I haven't checked my Lotto ticket from last week yet so come back next week and I'll let you know the results.
We are all hoping for a first division payout from this World Cup - and all I know is that this team have the confidence to go on and claim it against Sri Lanka.
Good luck, lads.
