Mark Richardson: Chasing the dream in a classic Us versus Them

The NZ Black Caps during the semi-final match against South Africa. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Will we win? It's the question that has driven me nuts this week.

Right now, I'd give Australia 60/40 favouritism but I qualify that by saying that, to win, the Black Caps only have to play well, not out of their skins, and I believe that speaks volumes about the quality in our cricket team right now.

Australia are one hell of a team - a powerful team - and will certainly be more intimidating than India would have been for our lads.

But if the game becomes a mental test rather than a test of skill then it could be a good thing that the Black Caps are up against a very unpopular Australian side.

On The Crowd Goes Wild breakfast show the other morning, Prime Minister John Key asked Brendon McCullum who he would rather face - Australia or India. McCullum replied, "I want to play Australia. I want to play them at the MCG and I want to stuff them."

This is the attitude that could take any self-doubt away, that could take away the destructive introverted focus on technique and consequence and simply place the focus on entering the battle between bat and ball.

This is good v evil in my book. The Australia cricket side have done little to endear themselves to the world of late and the Black Caps should feel a tidal wave of support coming their way.

But you can cheer as much as you like. The keys to success must always come from within.

Back to the question, will we win? While this question frustrates me because I understand the vagaries of sport, I also love this question.

I love it because Joe Bloggs and Fanny Fairweather, when they stop me in the street, say will we win. They have taken ownership of the sport. No longer is it, "those Black Caps". It is now us.

So regardless of what happens tonight, our team have done so much good for the game in this country already. But it's hard to escape the fact a win will have an exponentially greater and longer-lasting positive effect.

Will we win? Geez, who knows?

Australia might have the early psychological advantage, based on the last time the two teams met. I know the Black Caps won but they should have cruised to victory after rolling Australia for 151.

The fact Australia made us grovel in the chase was a very pointed statement that said, 'you need to do something exceptional to beat us, fellas'. Realistically, what are the chances of bowling Australia out that cheaply again?

Maybe it's better to chase. Normally, you would look to bat first at the MCG. The pitch will be a little on the slow side and the size of the ground makes it easier to defend than postage-stamp grounds.

But this team know how to chase big totals, they have an inherent belief in the chase. On top of that, the weakness is the second half of the bowling and I'm not sure if I really want our boys to be bowling in the last quarter of the final with the match on the line. By the way, size does not matter. Our lads hit it just as far as the Aussies and we also have a middle order who can work the ball around.

Mark Richardson is on Radio Sport, Monday-Friday, 6am-9am.

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