New Zealand at World Cups – the innovative dark horses
New Zealand is one major cricket nation that has never entered the World Cup as a favorite. The team was formidable in 1992 and 2015 World Cups, but failed to go the distance. In their other appearances, they were hardly noticed despite qualifying for the semifinals consistently. They have had a very low-key approach to the competition with them not being counted as potential winners. This year, Kane Williamson’s men will once again be the dark horses.
Team Record:
Played – 79, Won – 48, Lost – 30, No result – 1
Notable performances:
Runner up – 2015
Semi-finals – 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2007, 2011
Most runs: Stephen Fleming (1075 runs in 33 matches)
Most wickets: Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram (36 wickets)
History:
Hopeful beginning
New Zealand began their inaugural World Cup in a record-breaking fashion. In the first match against East Africa, Captain and opener Glenn Turner scored 171 from 201 balls. This remained the highest individual score in ODIs till 1983 and remains the longest ODI innings (in terms of balls faced) so far. The Kiwis cleared the group stage with ease but were eliminated by West Indies in the semi-final.
New Zealand repeated their performance in the 1979 World Cup. Under Mark Burgess’ leadership, they defeated India and Sri Lanka in the group stage and reached the semifinal. Chasing 222 against England, John Wright began well with a solid 69 but the team kept losing wickets. New Zealand needed 14 runs to win from the last over with the last pair at the crease but they fell short by nine runs.
Drop in form
Next two World Cups were forgettable for the Blackcaps team. A three-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in the group stages harmed New Zealand’s chances of advancing to the next stage in the 1983 World Cup. They were disastrous in the 1987 World Cup. The team lead by Jeff Crowe lost all its matches against India and Australia and their only wins were versus Zimbabwe. It was another group-stage exit.
Crowe takes New Zealand to the top
In the 1992 World Cup at home, New Zealand challenged the conventions of ODI cricket and reaped great benefits. Martin Crowe used Mark Greatbatch as a pinch-hitter and spinner Deepak Patel to open the bowling – both ideas became a norm after years. Crowe himself was in a blazing form with the bat.
With seven wins from eight matches, New Zealand topped the group stage. Their only loss in the group stage was versus Pakistan – the team they faced in the semifinal. At Auckland, Crowe struck a fine 91 from 83 balls, and New Zealand posted an impressive total of 262/7. In the chase, Pakistan’s young talent Inzamam-ul-Haq delivered the death blow of 60(37) and knocked the hosts out.
Knocked out
In 1996, New Zealand progressed through the group stage and faced Australia in the quarterfinal. Despite Chris Harris’ 130, they failed to defeat the neighbors. Three years later, Saeed Anwar’s 113 ended New Zealand’s journey in the semifinal. In 2003, they were eliminated in the Super Six stage.
The Kiwis turned up in the semifinals of consecutive World Cups in 2007 and 2011 but were defeated comprehensively by Sri Lanka on both the occasions. In 2015, a different New Zealand turned up. They adopted an aggressive approach rather than their usual low-key presence. The change was personified by the captain Brendon McCullum.
Mac with a bang!
Opening the batting, McCullum went after the leather and attacked the opponent without inhibition. With McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Grant Elliott, Trent Boult and Tim Southee at peak of their powers, the Kiwis sailed through the group stage without a loss.
Guptill’s record-breaking 237 wore down West Indies in the quarterfinal. New Zealand and South Africa engaged in a thrilling game in the semifinal. It was Grant Elliott’s six on the second last ball of the match that carried the team into their maiden World Cup final. Australia’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc sent back McCullum for zero and New Zealand stumbled to 183 all out. Australia completed the target with ease. This still remains New Zealand’s best performance in the World Cups.
