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KP backs Black Caps to win World Cup

Ex-England batsman says New Zealand are the best ODI team in the world

Kevin Pietersen has tipped the Black Caps to walk away with cricket’s ultimate prize next year, the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The former England batsman, who arrived in Melbourne yesterday to play with the Melbourne Stars in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, did not miss a beat when asked who he thought would win the World Cup next year.

“I think New Zealand will win the World Cup,” Pietersen declared.

“New Zealand are the best team in the world at the moment.

“Just the way they are playing, I think they are playing brilliant cricket.”

But he added the Black Caps’ hopes would rely on the fitness of pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

The Black Caps have never made a World Cup final and are currently ranked seventh in the ICC One-Day International team rankings.

They are level on 96 ratings points with West Indies and trail sixth-ranked Pakistan by two ratings points.

The Black Caps have made it as far as the World Cup semi-finals on six occasions.

Their preparation had a minor hiccup last night, losing to Pakistan by three wickets in the first ODI in Dubai.

Pietersen, who played for England in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, said he hoped playing BBL|04 would provide a happier Australian experience than last summer’s Ashes whitewash.

“Clearly, yeah, I’m not playing for England,” he said.

“The England side might still struggle in a couple of months here.”

England is fifth in the ICC ODI team rankings.