OPINION: As intensity levels for the Blackcaps pick up at the Cricket World Cup, their standing among other tournament contenders becomes clearer.
But given the heart-stopping nature of success against the West Indies, there are still lingering doubts that we can compete with India, Australia and England.
Pakistan awaits on Wednesday night - a true split personality of a cricket team, so who knows what they will throw up come game-time.
We do know that victory will officially book New Zealand into the final four and leave them in the hunt for top spot.
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India remain the team to beat, despite a serious case of the wobbles against a game Afghanistan on the weekend.
Behind a lacklustre batting display, they did the job with the ball and it's still hard to identify a weakness.
They have big games on the horizon though against the West Indies on Thursday night and then England.
The Caribbean side have the players to take the game away from you, as Carlos Brathwaite and Shannon Cottrell proved against New Zealand - well all-but, anyways.
Speaking of the Windies, they are on the verge of certain elimination - they must win their final three games and hope England fail to win more than once.
The 'Calypso Kings' could still have their say in how the semi-finals shape up, even if they are not there.
Pakistan are well and truly in the mix after their burial of South Africa. If they can top New Zealand overnight, they will be right on the heels of India and England, with two winnable games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh to come.
Sri Lanka are still a shot too, but they have a tricky run home against South Africa, West Indies and India. Win all three and they will qualify.
Hosts England are in big trouble. They still have destiny in their hands and will qualify with wins over India and New Zealand, but that is easier said than done.
The loss to Australia was telling - poor bowling and batting up front, while they were fairly average in the field. Bangladesh jump above them on power rankings, because they look to be in better form and have very winnable games.
As for the Aussies, their batting depth is still not convincing. Their death hitting has been awful and their middle order has failed to capitalise on sensational starts in three games now.
They must bat Steve Smith at three and slot Shaun Marsh into the middle order for Stoinis or Maxwell, who have both been average at best.
South Africa won't get the chance to choke at this World Cup - they have been woeful. The concern from a New Zealand perspective is, apart from Afghanistan, we are the only side they have run close in their six completed games.
They have Australia to play yet, so that could be the motivation they need to put in a strong performance. They could yet affect the outcome of the final four.
Afghanistan have been disappointing. They were much hyped pre-tournament, but have only fired against India. They should have won that game, given how well they were placed with 20 overs to bat, but their bowling has let them down.
Rashid Khan has been a massive flop, taking just four wickets at 78.50 and conceding a run a ball in the process.
They can still get that elusive win though, with Pakistan and the West Indies to play.
Brad Lewis is a Newshub online sports producer.
Join us at 9:30pm Wednesday for live updates of the Blackcaps v Pakistan Cricket World Cup clash.
