New Zealand only an outside chance

Best performance: Semi-fiinals 1975, 79, 83, 99
2003: Group stage
Price:7/1

As four-time semi-finalists, it is arguable that New Zealand have overachieved in World Cups down the years, given the paucity of their resources.

In the past, the likes of Richard Hadlee and Chris Cairns helped to make them a real threat while they have always been a good fielding side and a tough team to beat.

This time, though, they have been backed in to 7/1, from 12/1 just a few weeks ago, and that despite the retirement of Cairns and more recently of Nathan Astle - two losses that have left them a little short on match-winners. Too many other sides have the edge on them in that department.

That said, they do tend to get the best out of their ability and Stephen Fleming is an able leader and a good batsman. Daryl Tuffey is back for the first time in two years while Craig McMillan also scraped into the side.

But they did manage to humble Australia recently with a series whitewash and they should not be overlooked.

In Daniel Vettori they have an excellent spinner who is more than capable with the bat while Shane Bond, touch wood, has proved his fitness and is a threat to any side. Their batting i sound, their fielding good, but I just wonder if they will be able to stifle enough of the big sides with their bowling, a worry borne out by their stats as they have won just eight of their past 20 matches.

Player to watch: Jacob Oram
If New Zealand do have one match-winner, then it has to be Jacob Oram, who matches Cairns in terms of strength and has an eye as good as anyone. Coming in low down the order, at six or seven, he can turn games with his powerful hitting.

Perhaps lacks the consistency of some of the bigger names - his average of just 21 would testify to that - but he showed in the recent CB series that he has some class and if he gets time at the crease, he will score heavily.

Prediction:
Super Eight stage
Will cruise through their group together with England but unless everything comes together at the right time, that's as far as they will go, on paper at least.