Christchurch, Feb 12 (IANS) Amid the public euphoria over New Zealand’s build-up to the ICC World Cup opener against Sri Lanka Saturday, former captain Stephen Fleming has questioned whether the team will be able to handle the pressure of being a title contender.
In past tournaments, the side has always played the role of the underdog, punching above their weight and with nothing to lose, a side not expected to go all the way and so able to go out with a more relaxed frame of mind, in contrast to teams that were viewed as genuine contenders.
It was a position the side was able to enjoy the last time the World Cup came to the Antipodes, in 1992, when they surprised Allan Border’s fancied Australia on the opening day of the tournament at Eden Park and went on to reach the semifinals.
"But now, thanks to the exceptional recent form of Brendon McCullum’s side, the roles are reversed and everyone is expecting big things from the Black Caps," Fleming wrote in his ICC website column.
"How the players and support staff handle that tag of being one of the favourites, especially early on, will be crucial to determining how well or how badly this campaign goes."
"On the plus side, and from my position outside the team bubble, I am not detecting any over-confidence or complacency despite victories home and away against Pakistan, plus the convincing series win over the first-up opponents Sri Lanka," added Fleming.
The Black Caps outshined 1996 Cup champions Sri Lanka 4-2 in a seven-match ODI series at home and later, they defeated 1992 champions Pakistan in a two-match series.
Prior to the twin wins, they defeated defending champions India 4-0 last year to begin their Cup preparations on the right foot.
"Much of the pre-tournament chat in the media has centred around the idea that the team has momentum but for me that is the most over-used word in sport, and cricket in particular," said Fleming.
"Past successes - or so-called momentum - counts for nothing if you are 10 for two or the opposition is 200 for no wicket; more important is confidence. Confidence to know your gameplan and to stick to it, confidence in your ability to adapt if the situation demands it, and confidence in yourself and your team-mates to deliver under pressure."
New Zealand, who are in Group A, open their World Cup account against Sri Lanka Saturday.
Other teams in the Group A are England, co-hosts Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland.
Court lifts ban on Manjhi regime taking policy decisions
Pat Feb 18 (IANS) In a relief to Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, the Patna High Court Wednesday lifted the restraint on taking any policy decisions - imposed two days ago - but said their
Stampede in Maha Kumbh: CM Yogi held a meeting with officers, senior officers will visit the spot, and some may face action.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and prominent saints have issued an appeal to the devotees who have come to take a holy dip in Sangam on the holy bathing festival of Mauni Amavasya. Chief Minister Yogi
IOC, BPCL, HPCL lost 19,000 crores due to non-raising fuel prices for 5 months, Moody's released report
Petroleum Companies: Petroleum companies have not increased the prices of fuel for 5 consecutive months, due to which the oil companies have suffered heavy losses. The country's top-3 petroleum
Covid-19: For the first time ICMR has tested one lakh samples in a day
new Delhi. There is a relief news among the corona virus spread across the country that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has succeeded in taking one lakh tests in a day. Earlier on
SRH vs RCB: Rajat Patidar's storm came in Hyderabad, AB de Villiers' record broken; Became the second RCB player to do so
In the 41st match of IPL 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad faces Royal Challengers Bangalore. After winning the toss, RCB decided to bat first. After the dismissal of Faf Duplessis, Rajat Patidar batted
Now everyone will get cheap medicines, government will open 25 thousand new Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
More than 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country so far and the government has set a target of opening 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 31, 2027.
Government Schemes: Empowerment of women in villages through government schemes, 16 percent took a home loan
The empowerment of the women of the villages is happening rapidly through the government's proprietary scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Women are coming forward in taking home loans from smaller
McCullum voices support for out-of form Morgan
Wellington, Feb 19 (IANS) New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum has voiced his support for his England counterpart Eoin Morgan who is going through a poor batting form.The two teams face
World Cup: Australia vs England scoreboard
Melbourne, Feb 14 (IANS) Scoreboard of the Australia innings against England in their World Cup opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Saturday.AustraliaDavid Warner b Broad 22Aaron
Taliban chop off 4 hands in packed stadium: Victims were accused of theft, flogged those having illicit relations
The Taliban chopped off the hands of four people in Afghanistan on Tuesday in front of a huge crowd at a football stadium. All of them were accused of theft. In addition, five youths accused of having
