Mark Richardson: First step in long journey

For me, this was a significant win by the Black Caps over Sri Lanka. But it wasn't significant for the reasons many people might think. We can't automatically start crowing about being on the comeback trail or anything like that. Not yet.

No, for me this was the first step on the ladder, the first footfall of a long journey - to become the third- or maybe even the second-best one day international team in the world. The pleasing thing was that the New Zealand team seemed to be approaching it in that manner.

Look, we have to forget now that we got beaten by the Aussies, even with the world record runs chase. We know we are not as good as the number 1 team in the world. We even have to forget getting cleaned out by the South Africans.

Instead, we have to focus on getting things right, clawing our way back, step by step and bit by bit, until we are in a position to challenge the big boys at a tournament like the 2007 World Cup.

How do you do that? By beating the lesser teams and the teams who are on a par with you. By making the most of being at home, in our conditions, and winning in a way that builds confidence and team spirit.

That's what was so good about yesterday's win. It definitely was that first step - and it might also be a first step towards the changing of the guard. Everybody was rightly full of the two new boys and their batting display and I thought Jamie How's was a composed innings full of promise. I was even more impressed with Peter Fulton. Before this match, I was a doubter - I thought his game might be a bit too one-dimensional for one-day cricket, even though he is beating on the door re test cricket. But not a bit of it. He played very well and very fluidly. Impressive.

Kyle Mills continues to impress, his first spell was outstanding. Link him with Dan Vettori and a dangerous-looking Shane Bond and we are starting to take a step towards a balanced bowling attack as well.

As we take this journey towards improving our world ranking, we have to develop new players and yesterday saw the beginnings of that. Forget Australia and maybe even South Africa. We now have to show that we can regularly beat Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan. As we build up, bit by bit, so we will grow the confidence and the authority needed to perform well against the leaders at the World Cup.

That's what was so pleasing yesterday. It wasn't a quantum leap. But we don't need quantum leaps. We need building blocks - and we have put the first ones in.