Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards, and Ian Botham, three cricketing legends have supported the New Zealand team who they believe can grab this year’s International Cricket Council World Cup title. Black Caps performances till now in the championship have seen them tipped as one of the true contenders.
The New Zealand Herald reports, Ricky Ponting, who led Australia to lay hands on the desired International Cricket Council World Cup title in 2003 and 2007, said the chances of New Zealand have gained immeasurably since bringing in Brendon McCullum as skipper.
Ponting added that he thinks they have come a long way since Brendon McCullum’s taken over. Black Caps seemed like a more aggressive-natured, confident team as well than possibly they were before.
Ricky Ponting applauded the balance of the New Zealand squad saying beating them at home will be really tough. This squad possibly the best balanced New Zealand team he can remember in a long time and their record at home, as we all know, is quite good. They very rarely lose matches or series in New Zealand, so they are in good shape right now.
Former West Indies cricketer Viv Richards, who was part of the World Cup winning side in 1975 and 1979, trusts New Zealand are a squad who, with the form that they are in, might just go through the World Cup unbeaten and win the desired World Cup title.
He said that they have been playing really well. He has always felt, when they are in the preliminary rounds, it is always crucial to have a little hiccup there and there to get back on the right track.
Ian Botham viewed the Black Caps as one of the true contenders, saying they would at least make the final of the ICC World Cup. He thinks that their big exam will come in the finale. He expects them to make the final, possibly against Australia, which he thinks will be the real test, but he does not see why they cannot go on and win it.