The weight of public expectation is a daunting proposition for any sports team. Sometimes, however, it is so well merited that it must be embraced. Such is the case with the Black Caps' Cricket World Cup campaign, which starts today when they take on Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval Christchurch.
The New Zealand players have the opportunity to write the first half of an equation that, if successfully concluded at Twickenham in October, would have New Zealand ruling the international roost in cricket and rugby.
That would be a scarcely believable coup, but it is extremely difficult to visualise a better opportunity, given the circumstances and the current strength of the Black Caps and the All Blacks.
Normally, not too much optimism is attached to the cricketers. A place in the World Cup semifinals has been regarded as the height of their ability and ambition. The present team, captained by Brendon McCullum, inspires much more confidence. Like the best Australian teams, it seems to have most of the bases covered, so much so that New Zealanders have become accustomed to it finding a way to win on most occasions, no matter the degree of difficulty in which it finds itself.