Former greats praise NZ but find chinks

HAMILTON, New Zealand: New Zealand’s rampaging performances at the World Cup have made them one of the favourites for the title but a host of former greats insist it won’t be an easy ride.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, West Indian great Viv Richards and ex-England allrounder Ian Botham believe there are weaknesses in the co-hosts’ line-up which could be exploited in the knockout rounds.
“New Zealand are a confident and well-balanced team and their record at home, as we know, is very good, they rarely lose here. They’re in good shape right now but if there’s any weakness at all it might be the middle-order batting,” said Ponting.
“If Brendon and Kane (Williamson) don’t get them off to a really good start there may be some chinks in the armour in the middle order.”
Ponting praised McCullum’s captaincy, which he thinks, has helped New Zealand’s impressive progress in all cricket.
“I think they have come a long way since Brendon has taken over, they seem a more confident and aggressive team. Anyone who knows Brendon knows what he’s like as a character so his leadership is rubbing off on the rest of the team.”
Botham said New Zealand will face a stiff test if they come up against Australia in the final.
“New Zealand are an excellent team,” said Botham. “I expect them to make the final and then they will play probably Australia at their home, which will be the real test for them.
“But I don’t see why they can’t go on and win it.”
Richards said New Zealand not having had any serious problems in the first round could hurt them.
“I’ve always felt that when you are in the preliminary rounds it’s important to have a little hiccup here and there to get back on the right track,” said Richards, who hit a hundred in the 1979 final. “At the moment, though, the more you play and the more you win,”