New Zealand's bowling attack makes them serious World Cup contenders: Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid

Former India great Rahul Dravid has said that co-hosts New Zealand can be counted as serious contenders to clinch the upcoming World Cup, considering the type of fast bowling attack at their disposal at the moment. He also added that the Black Caps might not be under as much pressure from their home fans as some other nations.

"I think they've got a really really good pace attack. That's why you look at them and you think these guys are one of the serious contenders," Dravid said.

"I think with New Zealand it's a much smaller country, sure they'll expect their team to do well but you're not going to talk about winning straight away. I think the pressure is going to be less on the New Zealand players,” he added.

Vettori’s experience will come to good use: Dravid

The 42-year-old praised fast bowler Tim Southee for his ability to hit the block hole on a regular basis in the final overs and said that experienced left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who will be playing his last World Cup, will lend quality to their attack.

"Good control of the yorker under pressure. I think that's one of the things about Tim Southee. That's a critical ball to be able to bowl at the back end and we all know that that's the obvious thing but it's an extremely hard ball to execute under pressure.

"Whether he can stay fit through the tournament and how they'll have to nurse him through the tournament will be interesting to see but there is no doubt that he brings quality and he brings experience to the table, which you cannot buy at a supermarket,” the former India captain said.

The 42-year-old also had high praise for skipper Brendon McCullum, saying that his ability to take wise decisions in pressure situations will come to New Zealand’s aid during the marquee event.

"Under pressure when you need someone to make that key tactical change, that key intervention that can actually turn the game, you'd back him (Brendon McCullum) to do it because he's been in that position before, he's been someone who has experienced it all,” he said.