Cricket World Cup 2019: Former Blackcaps quick Geoff Allott reflects on World Cup exploits

After the Blackcaps' win over Afghanistan, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Jimmy Neesham are the leading wicket-takers at this year's World Cup.

But the last time England hosted the World Cup in 1999, it was Blackcaps left-armer Geoff Allott who led the way.

Getting prodigious swing in bowler friendly conditions, the previously unheralded Allott took 20 wickets, making him the tournament's equal highest wicket-taker with none other than Shane Warne.

"I was actually quite pleased when he cracked the 20 wickets as well," Allott told Newshub. "Because I thought at least people would recognise his name, they wouldn't recognise mine."

Allott's success came after he completely changed his action too add more variety.

"It's all very well having bounce and pace, but if you can't swing the ball at my pace you are fodder for opposing batsmen."

His best figures were 4 for 37 in the win over Australia at Cardiff, with Mark Waugh and Adam Gilchrist among his victims.

Twenty years later, Allott's on the Board of New Zealand Cricket and is the chief executive of a company that specialises in exporting NZ products to cricket-mad India.

"We're fortunate enough to have a number of former players that are ambassadors and shareholders in the business."

They include his one-time captain Stephen Fleming, as well as Dan Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Sir Richard Hadlee.

So, how does he rate the team's chances this time around?

"I think we are very capable of making the semis - and they are a lot of teams that are - but we are in the mix."

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Newshub.