Melbourne, Dec 9 (IANS): Controversial England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has backed co-hosts New Zealand to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

The former England batsman, who arrived here Monday to play with the Melbourne Stars in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, did not miss a beat when asked who he thought would win the World Cup next year.

"I think New Zealand will win the World Cup," Pietersen was quoted as saying by the Cricket Australia (CA) website.

"New Zealand are the best team in the world at the moment. Just the way they are playing, I think they are playing brilliant cricket."

But he added New Zealand’s hopes would rely on the fitness of pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

The Black Caps have never made a World Cup final and are currently ranked seventh in the ICC One-Day International team rankings.

They are level on 96 ratings points with the West Indies and trail sixth-ranked Pakistan by two ratings points.