2011 World Cup is not beyond ’struggling’ Kiwis: Vaughan

AUCKLAND - New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Chief Executive Justin Vaughan is confident that the Black Caps can win next year’s World Cup being held in the Indian subcontinent despite their ninth one-day loss on the trot.

New Zealand lost their third one-day against India at Vadodara’s Reliance Stadium by nine-wickets, which saw the tourists going down 0-3 in the series.

It was New Zealand’s ninth successive loss from completed matches, their last win coming in the first match of that Sri Lanka tri-series, against India, on August 10.

They were earlier beaten 0-4 in a five-match ODI series by Bangladesh in October.

However, when asked if the Black Caps can win the World Cup, which begins in Dhaka on February 19, Vaughan said: “Yes, because if you look at the World Cup you don’t have to be the most consistent team in the world.”

“You have to peak for three games in a row and win them, so the key is to get all the players hitting form at the right time. I know at the moment it looks a long way off, but I don’t believe it’s beyond this side.”

Vaughan is further hoping that the hiring of former England coach Duncan Fletcher would be helpful during the upcoming series against Pakistan.

“Duncan has come in from the outside to help us,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Vaughan, as saying.

“His role is two-fold. He is there to help the team win and to let us know how we can improve,” he added. (ANI)