Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has tipped New Zealand as 'genuine' contenders to clinch their maiden World Cup title, for which tournament gets underway from Saturday in Australia and New Zealand.
Describing New Zealand as favourites besides Australia and South Africa, Vaughan said that New Zealand's recent form and record was ominous, adding that this they are expected to deliver and it would be interesting to see how they cope with that, Stuff.co.nz reported.
According to Vaughan, New Zealand team had been everyone's favourite 'dark horses' in the past, but not this time as they are genuine contenders.
Vaughan further said that for guys like Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills it was probably their last World Cup playing at the peak of their powers, the report added.
New Zealand will open their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on February 14 at Hagley Oval.