New Zealand can go deep in the forthcoming World Cup on home soil, although a heck of a lot rests on the shoulders of captain and superstar batsman Brendon McCullum.

McCullum has been in stunning form in the last 12 months, more so in Test cricket, but the Otago man’s ability to transfer his form across to the white ball arena is without question. He showed that against Sri Lanka today with a century.

McCullum is surrounded by two other key batsmen in Kane Williamson, the most likely man to take over the captaincy whenever that day comes, and exciting Ross Taylor.

Williamson’s limited overs game has developed at a rate recently, while Taylor has shown glimpses of good form in ODI cricket across the last month or so, including a key 88 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi last month as the Black Caps secured a notable series win.

The Black Caps are many people’s dark horses for the tournament. A side without the pedigree of an Australia or South Africa, yet one who is playing decent, aggressive cricket.

Their bowling is arguably their weak suit, yet there are still match winners in their squad. Limited overs specialist Mitchell McClenaghan is a wicket-taker, while it is hoped that fellow left-arm quick Trent Boult can replicate his form in Test cricket. Tim Southee will lead the attack.

All-rounders Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson are wise picks. Elliott has enjoyed an exceptional run of form in domestic cricket of late.

One of the fairytale stories of the World Cup would see left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori go out with a bang. This will be his fifth and last World Cup at the age of 36.

Badger Predicts

New Zealand to reach the semi-finals and be fun to watch whilst doing it. Then, anything can happen. Don’t rule them out from winning the whole lot.

Squad

Brendon McCullum, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Kyle Mills, Luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori.