ST GEORGE’S, April 18: Scott Styris believes the current New Zealand team can do something none of their predecessors managed and win the World Cup. New Zealand, already through to their fifth semi-final in nine editions, face fellow last four qualifiers and champions Australia in their final Super Eights match here on Friday.

But whereas a semi-final spot might have been the summit of ambition for previous New Zealand teams, Styris reckons the side in the Caribbean can not only go one better and reach a final for the first time but take home the trophy as well.

“I am biased, but I think this is the first side that is considered to have the first genuine opportunity to win it,” said Styris. “If we play well, we know we are a good enough side to win it.

“In the past, a semi-final spot has been a fair result for some of those (New Zealand) teams. This team, if we hadn't made the semis it would have been a failure.

“If we win it, then I think it's deserved: if we don't, it's disappointing and that's probably not been the case for previous campaigns.”—AFP