DR cricket sheds light on the 15-member New Zealand squad for the World Cup as the tiny island nation strives to cast aside the tag of under dogs, once and for all.
The Black Caps are the perennial underdogs of world cricket. Whenever the pundits of the game go about naming their favourite teams to lift the coveted World Cup in their pre-tournament analysis, the New Zealand cricket team hardly features in their predictions. The most an expert would concede about them, is to watch out for the men in black. An acceptance of the fact that they are always a dangerous team but never the favourite. It also appears that they want it to stay that way.
It’s not that the team from the island country in Southwestern Pacific Ocean – a region now referred to as Oceania – is not ambitious enough to lift an ICC trophy. Indeed, twice New Zealand has secured two mega event trophies, one for the Champions Trophy in the year 2000 and the other one for the Test Championship in 2022. They have also reached the knockout stages of the tournament every time since the 2015 world cup. However, a limited-over world cup trophy has always eluded them. The heart break at the oval, 2019, when New Zealand lost the final in the super over to Eoin Morgan’s England, is still painfully alive in the memory bank. It seems that the Kiwis prefer to stay in the shadows rather than in the blinding glare of the spotlight.
This year, as the T20 World Cup comes knocking, Kane Williamson finds himself again at the helm. Maybe, one last time. This will be his fourth stint as the captain of the Black Caps in the T20 World Cup. The legendary batter has been the captain since the 2016 T20 World Cup and under his captaincy New Zealand got very close to winning the world cup on multiple times. Due to his past record and excellent performances across all formats, he has been given the chance, once again, to lead his team.
When we look at New Zealand’s batting line up, it is almost the same as it was in the ODI World Cup in 2023. In form players like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra are there in the squad who can change the match single handedly in favour of their team. Dare anybody challenge the legendary status of Kane Williamson as the best Kiwi Batter of all times? Certainly not.
We witnessed the ability of these batters in the ODI World Cup when Ravindra, the golden boy of New Zealand cricket, along with more mature Daryl Mitchell, played some excellent innings to lead their team to the semi-final. Conway, on the other hand, can play anchor with the ability to change gears whenever needed.
Then, there are three main hitters: Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen. Finn Allen is an explosive opening batter who also gives New Zealand an option of the wicketkeeper, should they feel the necessity to drop Devon Conway, which though appears unlikely. Mark Chapman’s recent form against Pakistan has enhanced his claim to be included in the playing eleven. He makes the case for a finisher along with Glenn Phillips.
Much has been said and written about Glenn Phillips’ batting prowess, but too little of the fact that he can save 10 to 15 runs in the deep because of his brilliant fielding. Add to this the fact that he has developed into a useful off spinner which gives his captain an off-spin bowling option in the middle overs as well.
In the middle and the lower order, New Zealand has got a few allrounders, giving them flexibility with the ball and the bat. James Neesham, Mitchel Santner and Doug Bracewell can be played according to the conditions of the match. Bracewell and Santner, probably the best left arm spinner in the business, will be useful on the slow Caribbean strips. Both are experienced players who can turn the ball. James Neesham has on multiple times played cameos at the fag end of an innings. Add to this the fact that he can bowl useful seamers. He can also be relied upon steadying the ship for his team when main players get out early in the match.
Lastly, when it comes to bowling New Zealand might seem to be a bit below par in that department. Trent Boult their main bowler can be brilliant with the new bowl especially when he his supported by some good bowling conditions, however on simple batting wickets his medium fast bowling can make for easy pickings. Same goes for Tim Southee and Matt Henry, as at their pace hurrying the batters in a T20 match in this day and age is a bit difficult.
Lockie Furguson can be penetrative with his pace and can force the other team on to the backfoot if he has got his bearings right. However, he is a bit wayward at times which means he can leak some runs as well. Also, Lockie Furguson has often had some injury concerns. So, for New Zealand to go till the very end, they would need Furguson to stay fit.
Ish Sodhi, their wrist spinner, has always taken important wickets whenever he has been tasked by the captain with the job. He can break partnerships and change the game in their favour. As a leg spinner he is expensive most of the time and has a high economy rate under his record, however, he is a good asset for New Zealand team to have in their squad.
According to DR’s predictions New Zealand will once again reach the semi-finals. From thereon, it’s anybody’s trophy.
New Zealand’s Squad: Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Mitchell Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchel Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Furguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi
Ben Sears – Travelling Reserve
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