So some Aussie publication has listed five reasons why the Black Caps should be taken seriously, which raised some interesting emotions within me.

Aussies, they're always keen to hype us up if it means that everyone slightly ignores them. It had a bit of that about it, like let's just talk up the Black Caps for a second while we try figure out if Michael Clarke will play, if James Faulkner will play etc.

Obviously I've been pouring cold water all over these 9 warm up games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, only to offer some balance may I add. But it's understandable how some Aussie joker might look at the Black Caps results and slightly poo his pants with our form, ignoring the fact that we haven't really faced any bowler who borders on scary. Sure, Mohammad Irfan is 2 metres tall, but it's not as though the Black Caps have been facing the world's best.

A favourable draw compared to their co-hosts, because the Aussies play one game in Aotearoa? Yup, ok, we've definitely got the advantage there. Alright, I'm sorry I've got to give some credit here as the Black Caps could be left to watch a semi final between Australia and South Africa while they play whoever steps up. The publication didn't mention this though, just an eight hour flight and a game five days later, poor them.

The Black Caps love World Cups.

Great line that, we've reached the semi-finals in six out of ten World Cups. I mean some would look at that and say that we've got no clutch and haven't shown up in big games.

But we love World Cups. WHO THE FUCK DOESN'T?

"New Zealand have won two and lost six against Australia" top shelf lads, keep up the good work.

The Aussies did point out that Trent Boult is a genuine match winner ... wait, wasn't he like almost not selected? Or at the very least people debated his inclusion. As per the Aussie article, Boult has taken eight wickets in his last four matches which is pretty impressive and I definitely can't wait to see Boult and Tim Southee knock the top off the Aussies batting.

Tu meke, shout out to the Aussies for that bit of love but it kind of shows how little Australia cares about anything Aotearoa. In this case, it's good to see an in depth article stating how the Black Caps aren't the dark horse ... considering I've got England and Pakistan as my dark horses, no the Black Caps definitely aren't dark horses they're floating in the space just below favourites. 

In the past few days, both Martin Crowe and Stuart Broad have picked a Black Caps vs South Africa final which is where I sit with any sort of Black Caps World Cup prediction. Broad's never going to pick Australia, but I don't think the Michael Clarke situation will impact their World Cup a great deal which leaves them all up in the mix for sure. 

The point of this all being, can't the World Cup just start already? This sort of discussion has been going on for over a month and I just want to see high quality cricket. Only a few more days people, only a few more days!

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