World Cup Teams Watch – New Zealand: A beast of a side seeking defiance against misfortunes

In the 2019 World Cup final, New Zealand suffered probably one of the biggest heartbreaks of all time as they went down fighting against England on a very bizarre boundary count rule after both the sides tied in the Super Over as well. However, since then, the Black Caps have featured in two last fours in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup. Alongside that, the Kane Williamson-led unit also secured the maiden World Test Championship.

However, a major question will revolve around a couple of superstars whose experience was valuable enough for the management to try and gamble with them despite persistent injuries. However, how much would this gamble work out in their favour can only be revealed in time. The two names that are in question are that of Kane Williamson and Tim Southee.

New Zealand has an excellent team composition where their experienced batting order that stars the likes of Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson will be rounded off with a variegated bowling arsenal featuring one of the most potent left-arm seamers, an express fast bowler, a mercurial leg-spinner and three finger spinners.

Recent form:

New Zealand will be happy to arrive in the World Cup on the back of a 2-0 victory against Bangladesh in their Mirpur fortress as the situations on the latter’s turf will be slightly similar to that of India. However, the year 2023 hasn’t exactly been kind to the Kiwis as they have managed just eight victories from the 20 ODIs that they have played. The recent couple of warm-up games, however, will be doing a phenomenal job of getting spirits up high as they got the better of Pakistan and South Africa with an emphatic batting display.

X-Factors:

Trent Boult

Left arm pacer Trent Boult is obviously one of the most experienced picks of the side and can be an absolute menace considering his ability to move the ball both ways. He also bowls an exceptional line which is mainly hovering around the corridor of uncertainty and that is exactly what makes the batters come looking for those drives that can prove to be a game-changer, especially with the new ball in Boult’s hands.

Mitchell Santner

As the tournament hits the yard in India, spinners will be playing an important role and Mitchell Santner is obviously one of the most experienced all-rounders who can create all possible differences for New Zealand with his all-round sensation. In the last five fixtures, Santner has clinched eight wickets which makes him a favourite already to be a part of the Indian conditions where rank turners are rife.

Devon Conway

The hard-hitting southpaw is averaging a century in every five innings that he has played so far which is no mean feat. Even against South Africa in the warm-up game, he blasted a breezy 78 which already speaks volumes about how he loves to play in the Indian conditions. 

Areas to work on:

Except for the gamble of trying to slot Kane and Tim in the same side despite persistent injury concerns, New Zealand, more or less looks like a team well-built. The New Zealand captain has already been ruled out of the tournament opener, and later, if Kane’s body doesn’t give in to the injuries, the Kiwis are good to go.

Squad for World Cup:

Kane Williamson (C), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young