The Black Caps' impressive form at the Cricket World Cup has made believers of same of the game's true greats.
New Zealand will be looking to progress to the quarter-finals with a perfect record when they take on Bangladesh this afternoon, but their performances so far in the tournament haveseen them tipped as one of the genuine contenders.
Ricky Ponting, who led Australia to World Cup wins in 2003 and 2007, said the Black Caps' chances have progressed immeasurably since installing Brendon McCullum as captain.
"I think they've come a long way since Brendon's taken over," Ponting said. "They seem like a more confident, aggressive-natured team as well than probably they were before and anyone who knows Brendon knows what he's like as a character, so his leadership is starting to rub off on the rest on the team."
Ponting praised the balance of the New Zealand side but warned that cracks could be exposed down the order once the tournament reaches the knockout stages.
"They're probably the best balanced New Zealand team I can remember in a long time and their record at home, as we all know, is very good. They very rarely lose games or series in New Zealand, so they're in good shape right now.
"I think if there's any weakness at all it might be some of the middle order batsmen. If Brendon and Kane [Williamson] don't get them off to a really good start I think there may be some chinks in the armour in that middle order.''
English great Sir Ian Botham was another who viewed the Black Caps as favourites, even putting his money where he mouth is when the odds were far more favourable.
"They were 12-to-1 three months ago. I nailed that," Botham said. "They were 6-to-1 six weeks ago. I nailed that. I don't think you'll get much better than even money now.
"I think their big test will come in the final. I expect them to make the final...probably against Australia, which I think will be the real test but I don't see why they can't go on and win it."
Another cricketing knight, Sir Viv Richards, was a little more circumspect about the Black Caps' hopes, but believed they were capable of running through the remainder of the tournament unbeaten.
"[They've been playing] too well," Richards said. "I've always felt, when you are in the preliminary rounds, it's always important to have a little hiccup here and there to get back on the right track.
"But keep your fingers crossed. At the moment, the more you play and the more you win, that also helps to create confidence, so you can go and have a clean sweep as well.''
