Cricket: Calypso cup bright lift after dark tests

Brendon McCullum. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Australia might have left cricket fans (and the Black Caps) in gloom but there is a a rosy glow of optimism about their Twenty20 World Cup chances in the Caribbean.

Many consider the side are capable of disrupting the tournament by sneaking into the last four and possibly (quickly, draw breath...) even winning it.

That is the comfortable fit of the Twenty20 game withNew Zealand. The doggedness, stamina and tenacity required for tests give way to creativity, adaptability and flair in the abridged version. New Zealand appear to have plenty of players in the latter bracket but few in the former.

Former New Zealand coach David Trist gives the Black Caps a real show.

"They're the ideal team to put a lazy tenner on. Take the Twenty20 win over Australia recently when Brendon McCullum was wham-bam-thank-you-ma'aming them all over the park. It put a team as good as Australia, albeit without Ricky Ponting, under pressure. The same occurred during the one-day series at times."

Craig McMillan was New Zealand's most dynamic player at the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 with his swashbuckling style. He is optimistic about the Black Caps' chances: "They're absolutely capable of winning. With the depth and the experience on offer, you'd expect them to be in the top three sides. In that format, you need guys who can win a game by themselves and there are seven or eight in the full-strength line-up."

McMillan's proviso is they must be fully fit. The likes of Jesse Ryder, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Ian Butler and Aaron Redmond are in various stages of rehabilitation.

"The intensity level is so much higher than in any other form of the game. Even if it only goes for three hours, you can't afford to carry anyone. A niggling injury will be shown up."

The selectors have taken account of the likely conditions by bolstering their spin options and adding debutant allrounder Rob Nicol.

The 26-year-old shaped up well in the HRV Cup. Statistics indicate he relishes that format, with an average of 35 and strike rate of 126 with the bat. Crucially, he can contain with the ball - judging by his five for 22 against Northern Districts this season. He goes at 7.94 runs an over but takes a wicket every 22 balls.

That should suit the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The venue generally has a slow wicket and in 10 one-day internationals, a 300-plus total has been reached only once. In this season's two one-day internationals between the hosts and Zimbabwe, 14 of the 30 wickets were taken by slow bowlers.

Trist says Nicol's been thereabouts for a while: "It's pleasing to think those who show a bit of talent early can develop and mature. He'll be ready for it now after debuting eight seasons ago."

McMillan says the low, slow wicket in Guyana also suits medium-pacers. He played there during the 2007 World Cup against Ireland when Jeetan Patel and Daniel Vettori took six wickets between them.

"Having Vettori, [Nathan] McCullum and now Nicol gives them options and then you throw in the likes of medium-pacers Ryder, [Scott] Styris and Oram and that will suit our side," says McMillan.

Trist is also pleased to see Styris recalled to the Twenty20 side after being strangely omitted against Bangladesh and Australia after winning the MVP award in the HRV Cup.

"Hindsight is easy but it would have been an advantage to have had him because he is pugnacious, doesn't give in and is still producing results. His longevity has to be admired."

It seems James Franklin's run as a possible hard-hitting batsman and left-arm variation with the ball in the shortest form is over. He will now make his way to a contract with English county side Gloucestershire to work under John Bracewell.

"Unfortunately for Franklin he's had plenty of opportunities," says Trist.

"I'm not sure he's suited to Twenty20 but certainly in the longer form, he should still be looked at. He would have been useful at No 8 in that second test against Australia."

McMillan agrees: "He's had quite a few goes without nailing his chance, even at No 5."

The team head to a pre-tournament training camp in Queensland on April 18.