Cricket World Cup: McCullum - right man for the job

Trent Boult's bowling is a strong part of the NZ arsenal. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NZ skipper heads a team that has done everything right as it seeks cup triumph

So far, so good might be the mantra from co-host New Zealand after the early jousting at the World Cup.

Having begun with a convincing win over Sri Lanka - who have caused New Zealand grief at the last two semifinals - and a less impressive victory over Scotland, where the batting wasn't pretty but the bowling was on song, New Zealand face England in Wellington today. It's the second of three big games in group A for New Zealand, with Australia to come at Eden Park next Saturday.

Having started the tournament as one of three favourites to lift the title, alongside Australia and South Africa, New Zealand are tracking well.

Captain Brendon McCullum started the campaign on just the right note against Sri Lanka, banging a rapid 65 to put New Zealand on the front foot.

He is an assertive skipper, always looking to be proactive. His players are confident, all having had more than one innings or bowling performance of note in the course of the preparatory games.

The side to play England is unchanged from the first two games, and therefore, there is self-belief in the group.

New Zealand have done most things right thus far.

They won six of their eight completed ODIs leading up to the cup, and they have a groundswell of support. They are sought after by photo snappers when they arrive at airports. Just like 1992, when New Zealand on a wave of emotion made the semifinals, they will be feeling the love.

New Zealand have batsmen in good nick, including McCullum, key man Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson. Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi provides vibrant hitting late on.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee have the new ball on a string, and Dan Vettori, fully recovered from a lengthy injury break, looks in good trim and bowling as demandingly as ever.

New Zealand's form line is as a frequent top-four finisher. Six times they've made the semifinals, but have yet to take the next step.

On form, and with momentum, this shapes as their best opportunity to make the final. From there, the old wisdom is that teams must lose a final before they know how to win one.

The big challenge could be winning three successive games against top opposition, bringing varied games and game plans.

McCullum, scorer of New Zealand's first triple century last summer and Halberg Sportsman of the Year, could be the man to take his side further than ever before.

New Zealand

ODI ranking:

5

World Cup record

1975: Semifinals

1979: Semifinals

1983: First round

1987: First round

1992: Semifinals

1996: Quarter-finals

1999: Semifinals

2003: Second stage

2007: Semifinals

2011: Semifinals

Captain:

Brendon McCullum

Stars:

Swing bowler Trent Boult, batsman Kane Williamson and allrounder Corey Anderson.

Watch out for:

McCullum at the top of the order. Can change a game in 10 overs of explosive batting.

Strengths:

Batting depth, dangerous new ball bowling and will field as well as any team in the cup.

Weaknesses:

None immediately obvious but the middle order might just be fragile if things start to go wrong.

Nemesis:

Sri Lanka have beaten New Zealand in the semifinals at the last two cups. Pakistan have done likewise, in 1992 and 1999.

Squad:

Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Dan Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.