Can the Black Caps round out a golden summer with victory at the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh? Cricket writer Adrian Seconi outlines four reasons why we can dare to dream and perhaps even win cricket's version of the lottery.
Packing a punch
If the 23-year-old left-hander misses out, there are half a dozen other blokes waiting to pummel the ball over the ropes. Wicketkeeper and former Australian international Luke Ronchi plays a shot a ball. Ross Taylor will definitely unpack the slog sweep he shelved so successfully during the home tests. And let us not forget about Brendon McCullum. He is only one of the most successful twenty20 batsmen in the history of the game.
Riding high
The mighty Black Caps did not go so well the last time they were in Bangladesh. They were beaten 3-0 in the one-day series and drew the test series, but won the one-off twenty20 fixture. Their fortunes have changed dramatically since that tour. Home test series wins against the West Indies and India as well as the 4-0 drubbing of India in the one-day series has put the Black Caps in a great space. Everybody has had some recent success and there is genuine competition for spots in the playing XI.
The whole gang's there
Well, except Jesse Ryder. He was a starter until he went out on the booze the night before the first test against India. But one naturally gifted left-hander aside, the Blacks Caps have arguably put together their strongest side in many a year. The only obvious weakness will be the lack of a frontline spinner but then the team has been well served by Nathan McCullum in recent times.
He was at his frugal best against India during the one-day series and is the country's leading twenty20 wicket-taker with 48 scalps. New Zealand's greatest strength is perhaps its mix and the new brand of all-rounders who add considerable depth to the batting and bowling. Otago's Jimmy Neesham hits the ball crisply and bowls a heavy ball, and Anderson needs no further introduction.
Great stop, that
With two McCullums patrolling the field, the standards will be high. How many runs will the South Dunedin brothers save? Lots - that is the best we can do. The sport does not keep detailed fielding statistics, which is a great shame because it is such an important part of the modern game. Aside from the McCullums, Martin Guptill has the handy knack of hitting the stumps and Kane Williamson has a safe pair of hands.
World T20: The facts
BLACK CAPS DRAW
• v England, March 22, Chittagong
• South Africa, March 24, Chittagong
• Qualifier, March 29, Chittagong
• Sri Lanka, March 31, Chittagong
• Semifinals, April 3-4
• Final, April 6
BLACK CAPS SQUAD
Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Kyle Mills, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Ronnie Hira.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2007: India
2009: Pakistan
2010: England
2012: West Indies
TOURNAMENT RECORDS
Most runs - 858: Mahela Jayawardene (SL)
High score - 123: Brendon McCullum (NZ)
Most wickets - 33: Lasith Malinga (SL)
Best bowling figures - 6/8: Ajantha Mendis (SL)
NZ RECORDS
Most runs - 552: Brendon McCullum
High score - 123: Brendon McCullum
Most wickets - 20: Daniel Vettori
Best bowling figures - 4/7: Mark Gillespie
Three players who might trip up New Zealand
England
New Zealand has England first up and perhaps vice-captain Morgan presents the greatest threat with the bat. He has a reputation as an inventive dasher. In 42 twenty20 internationals, he has averaged 31 at a strike rate of 132. He has not always been at his best against the Black Caps but he shapes as key player for the Poms. The Dublin-born left-hander is bound to try a few switch hits and the odd reverse sweep.
South Africa
Gulp. The nasty fasty has not been forgiven in these parts for hitting Craig Cumming in the face with a bouncer at Centurion in 2007. The 30-year-old quick has not played a whole lot of international twenty20 cricket but he is a fearsome competitor and loves the big stage. He has terrorised New Zealand in the longest format with 58 wickets at an average of 17.05. It is not that easy hitting the ball when it is coming at 150kmh and swinging late.
Sri Lanka
Malinga the slinger. No-one has an action quite like it and it is incredibly effective. He has the best yorker in world cricket and, while he can be expensive, he takes wickets with those toe-crushers, which swing in late and hone in on leg stump. He is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament's history and that action makes watching the ball out of the hand very tricky.
