Where the rubber hits the road, where the tough go when the going gets tough, the CWC is reaching its razors edge as the wheat and the chaff part ways and the true powerhouses of the game flex.

It’s been an intriguing tournament to date, with some curious results pointing to a gradual change in the world order. The surge of Afghanistan, a country shredded by its own archaic ruling mob, has spoken volumes, at deafening volume, about the growth of the sport from the former affiliate nations.

The Dutch have also pulled some hat rabbits with 2 victories so far in India. This of course is countered by the horrendous form, if you could call what they have generated form, of the reigning world champion England and the parlous state of former world champs Sri Lanka. Bungladesh has let their standards slide too.

Although the South Africans soiled their bedsheets versus the Netherlands, their form suggests they’ll be a frightening prospect come semi-final time. Australia, wobbling through the year so far, are doing what Aussie do and solidifying when it matters. The Indians are playing to their home favourites tag and short of being suffocated by the expectation of over a billion souls, are odds on to stand above all at tournaments end.

Which leaves New Zealand. Perennial semi-finalists and 2 times beaten finalist, our representatives started with a hiss, but a roar so far has yet to escape their mouths. Tonight they play Pakistan and must arrest their slide, although the Proteas flogging was the only truly ugly loss of the 3 on the trot to date.

Victory tonight all but sees them claim a semi spot and even though momentum at the best of times is a flawed concept, in this case a win becomes a necessity to drive the Black Caps back up to the level they require to foot it with larger canines in the fight.

One thing we’ve learnt over the last few seasons is to write NZ off, is a flawed and churlish attitude, as they rightly deserve their place at the top table.

And once they take their seat, they are as hungry as the other 3.

Let the food fight commence.

That’ll do.