New Zealand sets itself a one-day trifecta

New Zealand's success in winning the ICC KnockOut Trophy was the first leg of a trifecta New Zealand Cricket has set for one-day tournaments.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Christopher Doig arrived home in Christchurch today from Nairobi with the trophy won by the CLEAR Black Caps when they beat India by four wickets on Monday morning (NZ time).

"This is the first of three trophies we have set our sights on," he said.

"Next is the CricInfo Women's World Cup being held at Lincoln University and in our longer term vision we have the 2003 World Cup.

"What this win has shown the team is that they can compete in unfamiliar territory and do well.

"They all loved the win and they will want to do it again," he said.

Doig, who was in Nairobi to attend a meeting of the International Cricket Council's chief executives, said he felt that if the New Zealanders could beat Zimbabwe in their first game they could go all the way.

"But at some stages of the final it looked like India was going to score 400-500!"

The win had given the side some welcome self-belief and self-confidence and there were good positive signs for the future.

"There is a great deal of team spirit in the side. When our chairman Sir John Anderson went into the dressing room he was impressed with how humble the players were and also how close they were.

"They are a real team on the paddock. They seemed quietly confident," he said.

Doig also delivered a huge vote of confidence in Stephen Fleming's captaincy of the side.

"When India looked like they were going to get away Stephen Fleming's captaincy was excellent."

He was also delighted with the contribution made by man of the match Chris Cairns.

"Chris was desperate to play and he was put through a fairly rigorous fitness test the day before the game. But he showed determination and discipline when batting. He has shown strong leadership with the side," Doig said.

Reaction among rival countries had been good.

"Australia decided that if they couldn't win it then it was good that their nearest neighbour should take it while South Africa was equally pleased because it has boosted interest in the New Zealand tour there.

"We are up there in the top four in the world now and people are welcoming that. They all know that New Zealand is a tough team to play against.

"And the good thing about the KnockOut win was that it was all done with a depleted team," he said.