Black Caps will be a dark horse at World Cup: Shane Warne
Shane Warne. -File Photo
||Desk Report||
Shane Warne believed that New Zealand will be a dark horse and may surprise many at the upcoming World Cup scheduled to be held in England in May.
The Australian bowling legend admitted that India, England are the two favourite sides at the mega event and are expected to go the distance, but Kane Williamson-led New Zealand have chances at the World Cup, reports New Zealand Herald.
"[New Zealand] always do well in big ICC events and World Cups. They're always there or thereabouts. So write them off at your own peril. But I think England and India are the two favourites going into it," Warne said.
Warne further added that the Black Caps have good enough players and will be able to find their best combination by the time the tournament rolls around.
"By the time the World Cup comes around, everyone will know their best team. Everyone has got games leading up, they'll be experimenting with different batting orders – every team will do the same – bowlers in different positions and all sorts of stuff just to try and find their best,” he said.
"But New Zealand will be fine. They've got good enough players to get the right balance in their team. They just go under the radar a bit. Everyone talks about other teams but New Zealand always do well,” the Aussie added.
However, according to the stats, New Zealand have won two ODI series of their last five series held at home and away. They clean swept Sri Lanka and Bangladesh separately in the 3-match-ODI, but lost to England (3-2) and India (4-1) at home. The series against Pakistan at UAE drew 1-1.
Shane Warne pointed out that the Black Caps will feel the absence of former skipper, Brendon McCullum who is one of the successful ODI skippers and has been an experienced player for Kiwis side.
"Obviously they're going to miss Brendon [McCullum]. I mean Baz is such a great leader and he's such a great player, so they're going to miss him. But you know they've got some good players there at the moment. They're always dangerous,” Warne concluded.
