Kiwis bank on McCullum

McCullum is a glorious hard hitting batsman and is the trump card of the Black Caps.

Brendon shone in the tour of India, hitting a double century at Hyderabad.

Vettori does not want to play McCullum as a wicket keeper. We do not know why, as such an option will give Vettori an option to play an extra spinner.

The NZ skipper tried him at No 7, but the move did not come off. He thrives on fielding restrictions and comes in the top order of batting.

Although he could not change NZ's fortunes in the recent series, his role, either in the top order or as No 7 ( he can be a dangerous No 7 ), will be critical to NZ's fortunes in the WC.

NZ may have gone down in the 14 of their last 16 ODIs,, but she cannot be written off. She has good players in McCullum, Ryder, Taylor, Oram and can upset any team on their day.

They know that they will have to go the extra mile to win the Cup, as water does not boil at 99 degrees !

Vettori, the NZ captain, feels that "The responsibility is still on the top order; you look at most one-day games and the top four get the job done. The thing we've missed the most over the last year or so is that finishing ability."

John Wright said "What would solve all of that would be if we had batters in form and making hundreds. If we can have two batters playing significant innings, then everything is going to flow from that. We haven't had that and it needs to happen."

Like India in 1983, NZ can turn the tables at any moment, even though current form indicates that the Black Caps have to face heavy odds ( 20/1 ) in the cricketing extravaganza starting on Feb 19th, at Dacca.