Former Australian great Shane Warne, who played golf with friends at Jack's Point near Queenstown yesterday, repeated his claim New Zealand are dark horses for next year's tournament.
And he told the Otago Daily Times what he thinks is the key to their success.
''If New Zealand are going to win the world cup, Jesse Ryder has to be part of it, for sure.''
Ryder, recently selected for the New Zealand A side, has been in and out of the national side after a series of off-field misdemeanours.
Leg-spinner Warne is held up as one of the best bowlers of all time, taking 708 test wickets.
But he also attracted his share of controversy, copping a fine for accepting money from an Indian bookmaker and being sent home on the eve of the 2003 World Cup for testing positive for a banned drug (that ended up being a slimming pill his mum had given him).
While Warne is backing Australia to win the world cup ''as long as captain Michael Clarke's fit'' he says New Zealand are a big chance, picking out Luke Ronchi as a dangerous batsman and praising former spinner Daniel Vettori for his calmness and experience.
He also says leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has a ''big future''.
Warne and his entourage shoehorned rounds of golf at Christchurch's Clearwater course, The Hills near Arrowtown and Jack's Point - with Jack's his clear favourite - between the former cricketer's business commitments.
He was special guest at Tuesday's New Zealand Trotting Cup and will fly to Auckland this weekend for a meeting with representatives of a beer brand he promotes across the Tasman.
The 45-year-old takes his golf seriously.
He has previously expressed a desire to play seniors golf professionally and famously shot a one-under round of 71 at St Andrews' Old Course in Scotland last year - lower than some former champions - during the Dunhill Links Championship.
Warne, who is now a cricket commentator, would not disclose yesterday's score but said his play was average and he hit a ''horrific'' patch in the middle.
''In the last six holes, I think I finished either level or one over.
''I got the money, too, in the end, which is good.''
How much did he rake in?
''Enough to probably afford a pizza tonight.''
