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Wednesday 15 January 2014

Lead up to CWC 2015

Yep, just one year to go and we see the best in the world in our neck of the woods again.  It's fair to say the top four in the rankings:

1.  India
2.  Australia
3. England
4.  South Africa

 will be in the mix for the finals next year, but is it that cut and dry?  India lost a series in SA recently, England are behind the 8 ball in Australia and struggling.  And what of the teams ranked 5 to 8?

The West Indies will be in the mix but they are having player issues (injuries etc) and Pakistan seem to be building nicely.  Sri Lanka will also be in the mix so that leaves team 8, New Zealand.

With the Blackcaps largely playing at home next year they do have a small advantage but based on recent form, home wins are not a guarantee.  A 2-2 series versus WI should have been a home win, but inconsistency plagued an otherwise successful series.  And recent home losses in previous years weigh heavily against us.  BUT!!  Yes a big but.  New Zealand has been rebuilding and developing an ODI team that can and should return us to the top of the pile.  Away wins in ODI series to England and South Africa in the last calendar year will give this team not only some self belief but also some impetus heading into the next year.

Winners are grinners and tasting wins (and good wins) over the WI should give them that self belief going into a 5 match home series versus the Indians.

India are notorious lesser lights away from home and as stated their loss in South Africa will weigh on their mind.  And they have always found it tough playing in New Zealand.

Why is this Inida/Blackcaps series important then?  For both teams it's going to be about kudos points heading into this year leading into the CWC 2015.  If Blackcaps are winners, they will be a force in 2015.

If we do get up over India then what next?  Well according to Cricinfo's Future Tours section Blackcaps have no cricket this year programmed.so I have no idea who they will come up against to further enhance their prospects.  Suffice to say if they continue good away form in ODI's then they will be building nicely to revisit 1992.

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