Blast from the Past: Inside the Black Caps’ 1992 Cricket World Cup miracle

NZ Herald

19 Nov, 2025 11:21 PM2 mins to read

Subscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe now

‌

SaveShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInReddit

Martin Crowe is chased by fans during the 1992 Cricket World Cup opener against Australia. Photo / Photosport

AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.

Step back to February 22, 1992 – Eden Park, Auckland.

The opening match of the Benson & Hedges Cricket World Cup wasn’t just another game, it was the dawn of a new era for New Zealand cricket.

In the latest episode of Kärcher’s Blast from the Past, hosts
ACC Head G Lane, Jeremy Wells, and Dylan Cleaver revisit this iconic day, unpacking the drama, the personalities, and the legacy that still echoes through the sport.

The Black Caps, then dubbed the “Young Guns” (despite a roster of seasoned veterans), entered the tournament battered by recent defeats and internal strife. Captain Martin Crowe’s leadership was under fire, both from selectors and his own teammates. Yet, in a twist worthy of sporting folklore, Crowe stood firm, reclaiming the captaincy and setting the stage for one of New Zealand’s most remarkable cricketing turnarounds.

The episode dives into the tense build-up: a team struggling for form, selectors doubting their skipper, and a nation bracing for disappointment. But as the match unfolded, bold tactics (like Dipak Patel opening the bowling) and unlikely heroes emerged.