John Wright believes home advantage will result in Kiwi-Oz WC final

Former New Zealand skipper John Wright is of the opinion that home advantage would result in a New Zealand-Australia final when the Cricket World Cup is played out in the host nations.

Wright, who coached the Indian team successfully from 2000 to 2005, currently coaches the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Wright has predicted a tough defence of the World Cup title by India because of changing personnel that left their side struggling to balance their powerful batting, claiming that the defending champions would need to produce better bowling and fielding efforts, Stuff.co.nz reported.

India will get a chance to develop that during the tri-series in Australia, where they join the hosts and England in a battle that starts on Friday and would give some cup pointers.

Wright felt that the resurgent New Zealand and Australia were the early cup favourites. He said that one looks at all the teams on paper and tends to go with the home teams, Australia and New Zealand in this case.

Wright added that it was the same when India won and it would be a challenge for them, along with the likes of Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Wright, who coached New Zealand from 2010 to 2012, said that to begin with, his home country has been playing some exciting cricket, adding that they have got Brendon McCullum performing brilliantly and Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in top form.

The former New Zealand opening batsman also said that the young bowlers have done well, especially the seamers.

The World Cup will get underway on February 14 and would be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia.