Cricket World Cup: Black Caps are favourites - Steve Waugh

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has rated the Black Caps as favourites to beat Australia in tomorrow's crucial pool A Cricket World Cup clash at Eden Park.

Waugh, who captained Australia to World Cup triumph in 1999, told the Daily Telegraph that the Black Caps are at the peak of their powers after three straight wins to open the tournament.

Waugh however said Brendon McCullum's side won't like being favourites as the underdogs tags suits them.

"New Zealand will be probably entitled to favouritism in this game, the way they've played," Waugh told the Daily Telegraph.

"They've played three games so they're in the groove. They're probably confident and relaxed, at the peak of their powers.

"It will be a parochial home crowd in Auckland. It's very difficult place to play and win over there.

"Australia probably would be slight underdogs. I know the Kiwis would hate to think they're favourites but I think they're probably slight favourites for this game.

"They always like being the underdogs and coming from nowhere so it would be nice to see them under a bit of pressure with the expectation to beat Australia and see how they handle that."

The TAB actually has Australia as the favourites with the four-time champions listed at $1.67 head to head. The Black Caps are paying $2.10 for the victory.

Waugh is the last Australian captain to suffer defeat at the hands of New Zealand at a Cricket World Cup. Waugh's side fell to the Black Caps by five wickets in pool player before defeating New Zealand in the semifinals.

"You've got to put in perspective. In 1999 we got beaten by New Zealand, we nearly got beaten by Scotland, and we lost to Pakistan first-up," Waugh said.

"Yet we still played incredible cricket after that and had an amazing victory.
"So it's not the be-all-and-end-all this week.

"Whoever loses from the weekend's game, it certainly doesn't mean their World Cup has been derailed. It's just a bit of a hiccup along the way.

"We have the team and the personnel and we have the weapons, the x-factor. It's all there."

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