Frustration gives way to hope as New Zealand advance

Frustration, and the ability to cope with it, has long been the lot of New Zealand cricket fans, but for once, in Durban today, the luck went New Zealand's way.

The horrendous state of affairs that saw South Africa tie their game with Sri Lanka under the Duckworth/Lewis system had to be even more freakish than South Africa's exit in the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup.

But after suffering the dent that was the lowest score in Test history of 26, for waiting 26 years for their first Test victory, of being denied regular competition against the might of Australia, of losing Martin Crowe to a hamstring injury in the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup, of having to do without key players at various times over the last three or four years and a host of other calamities that had to be taken in stride, New Zealanders could be entitled to feel that the tide might be momentarily swinging their way.

For all those reasons there will be sympathy with South Africa and their failure to advance. However, the signs were there for them.

They failed to beat any of the top three opponents they faced in pool play. The West Indies and New Zealand both beat them and then there was the tie with Sri Lanka.

Had New Zealand missed out, their demise would have been the result of the first-game loss to Sri Lanka, far more than it might have been because of the forfeiture of the Kenyan game.

New Zealand knew before the tournament started they would probably lose those four points to Kenya. They couldn't do anything about that.

However, the beating of Sri Lanka was in their own hands, and they exposed themselves to unnecessary anguish by succumbing to experimentation, and rampant recklessness at the start of their innings which almost undid them.

Now the chance is there for New Zealand to advance.

The side Stephen Fleming has built around him has shown increasing solidity, confidence and awareness that their time, after years of building up, is upon them.

What happens over the next few weeks will define their careers.

They are within a chance of establishing themselves as the equal, if not the superior, of the finest team of the 1980s.

That is the reality facing a side who have risen to No 3 on the ICC Test Championship, who have won the first international competition by a New Zealand side at the 2000 ICC KnockOut in Kenya, who have proven the only side capable of giving Australia a nudge in Test cricket and who have started to produce world-class performances by individuals within their ranks.

Yet, even they would admit that there is a need to step-up their level of performance as they head into the next phase of the tournament.

The bowling must tighten up.

The respective attacks of Australia, India and whoever of England, Pakistan or Zimbabwe will play them in the Super Six leg will be well-primed to take toll of the New Zealand faults if they exist.

What is encouraging is the solidity of the batting that has emerged, after what was a horror season at home in difficult conditions.

Yet, of the batsmen, only Fleming and Scott Styris with their centuries against South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively, have really taken attacks apart.

Craig McMillan, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Lou Vincent, Jacob Oram and Andre Adams all still have more to pull out of the fire, and they will need to if New Zealand is to realistically aim for a finals place.

There is still plenty for all members of the side to offer, and now they have the perfect platform in which to strut their stuff.