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International media questioned New Zealand's World Cup credentials after their poor performance in the Super Eights clash with Sri Lanka in Grenada on Friday.
Billed as a potential semifinal, the match was a no-contest with New Zealand dismissed for 219 after winning the toss and batting first and Sri Lanka chasing down the target with six wickets and five overs to spare.
Under the heading "Leaders cut down to size" Britain's Telegraph cricket writer Simon Briggs said the Kiwis had been exposed after spending "six weeks in the Caribbean without playing a competitive match against one of the world's top six".
"On the evidence of yesterday's rout, they have been flattered by a series of easy wins over average teams. You could hardly blame them for losing their edge," he said.
Krish Srikkanth of the Times of India took a shot at Stephen Fleming, saying the tactics he employed were too defensive.
"The shot selection left a lot to be desired and their over defensive tactics after a couple of early wickets helped Sri Lanka claim the upper hand," he said.
"Stephen Fleming's captaincy was too defensive at times and bringing Mark Gillespie against the wind was a huge tactical blunder that proved very costly."
Meanwhile, Cricinfo's Andrew Miller agreed a favourable draw made the Black Caps appear as one of the World Cup favourites. However, he now questions their ability to even make the semifinals.
"If South Africa turn them over on Saturday (Sunday NZT) but lose to England two days later, qualification could come down to the very last round of matches," he said.
"They might just have to hope that Brian Lara does them a favour in his one-day swansong, and puts paid to England's hopes of stealing fourth spot."
- NZ HERALD STAFF
