One of Australia's greatest cricketers believes the Twenty20 World Cup could be New Zealand's for the taking, after the Blackcaps' rollicking start to this year's tournament.
In an opening game that saw them as traditional underdogs, Kane Williamson's Blackcaps pulled the rug out from underneath their hosts, winning the Super 12 opener by 89 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
In fact, the defeat was so big, it was Australia's largest in a Twenty20 World Cup, and second largest in the history of T20 Internationals.
And for former Australian seamer Glenn McGrath, this year's tournament could see the Blackcaps add another international trophy to their collection, after taking out the World Test Championship in 2021.
McGrath is no stranger to success at international level - far from it. His record of 563 test wickets at a sublime average of under 22 runs until recently had him as the most prolific fast bowler of all time, broken by England's James Anderson.
Combined with 381 ODI wickets at a touch just over 22, McGrath belongs in the echelon of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
As part of the all-conquering Australian side of the 1990s and 2000s, McGrath won cricket's 50-over World Cup three times, and still holds the record for most World Cup wickets with 71.
And never one to shy away from a bold prediction, McGrath rates the Blackcaps' chances of ending their drought in limited overs tournaments this time around, starting with Sri Lanka in Sydney on Saturday night.
"Without a doubt," McGrath told Newshub. "They've got a lot of experience in their team, a lot of skill.
"Kane Williamson is a quality player [and] amazing captain. You mention the bowlers, I always say bowlers are the ones who win matches - I know it's T20 and it's all about the batsmen
"They've got a pretty good all-round team. They seem to play with confidence; they get out there, they back themselves.
"To me, that's what it's about. I think they're a big chance if they continue playing the way they are.
"We always found [in] coming up against New Zealand, we never could take it easy. They seem to lift.
"There's something about that Australia-New Zealand contest they absolutely love. [We] had some amazing battles over the years.
"They've got a quality team at the moment, they're playing some decent cricket."
As for who'll play the key role for the Blackcaps, McGrath is sticking to his own in backing the bowlers - namely New Zealand's new ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
"They bowl so well together," he continued. "Right hand-left hand combination, so much experience.
"[They're] two of the world's quality bowlers, the world's best. They've done a great job for New Zealand for a number of years."
But while New Zealand's chances might be favourable, odds-on to qualify for the tournament semi-finals as one of the top two teams in Pool 1 of the Super 12s, the 52-year-old isn't writing off his former side, Australia, to defend their title on home turf.
And after Australia endured a rocky build-up and start to the 2021 tournament in the UAE, you wouldn't put it past the hosts to pull one out of the bag - again.
"I'd like to say [it was] a surprise result, New Zealand beating Australia - but I think I'd be in trouble, wouldn't I?" he joked.
"New Zealand are a quality team, the way they're playing, they're looking good for this tournament.
"The only thing I'll say in Australia's defence: You don't want to peak in the first game.
"Hopefully Australia will peak as the tournament goes on. It should be good."
Join Newshub for live updates of the Blackcaps v Sri Lanka T20 World Cup clash from 9pm Saturday
