PREVIEW
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Final of the 2021 T20 World Cup
Semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup
Semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup
Gone are the days when New Zealand were a dark horse heading into an ICC event. They have indeed been the most consistent side in the last four silverware events in white-ball cricket. Australia, England, India, all have tanked in at least one of these tournaments, but New Zealand have made it to the knockout stage every single time, albeit without lifting the trophy.
Among Test-playing nations, they have played the most T20Is since the last World Cup – 36. That is seven more than India’s tally of 29.
However, New Zealand have played most of these games in home conditions, which are as contrasting from the West Indies and the USA as the time difference between the two regions. In addition to that, in another 14 matches in Pakistan and England, the Kiwis have played 30 out of these 36 T20Is in high-scoring conditions. Their skipper, Kane Williamson, has played only three T20Is in this World Cup cycle.
Hence, there are some caveats attached to the New Zealand squad. But you expect the Kiwis to circumvent them, punch above their weight again, and probably go one step ahead to clinch the trophy.
What can win them the trophy?
Balance and efficiency
The Blackcaps (although they will be wearing the teal colour in this tournament) will be relying on their balance and efficiency to see them through. They tick multiple boxes of subtleties of a perfect T20 sid
To begin with, they have a plethora of all-rounders in their squad. Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner are the spin-bowling all-rounders. Meanwhile, James Neesham and Daryl Mitchell can contribute with both bat and ball. Irrespective of which combination they play, New Zealand can have seven bowling options in their XI.
There are also plenty of left-handed batters. Again, irrespective of their XI, they can play three left-handers in their top seven.
With Ish Sodhi in the XI, New Zealand can have a complete spin attack, including Santner, the left-arm spinner, and Phillips, who are bowling his off-spinners. There will still be room for another additional spinner at number six.
Even their pacers would like the conditions (given how this World Cup has gone so far). Both Trent Boult and Matt Henry can wreak havoc if the new ball swings for a bit. And then there is Tim Southee, who should also enjoy the conditions with grip and variation for the seamers.
Thus, New Zealand hold several cards up their sleeves to hold a tactical edge over other teams.
What can eliminate them?
Williamson’s form?
Kane Williamson comes to this tournament with only two T20Is since 2023 and only four T20s overall. The last time he had a 120+ strike rate in a calendar year was 2020.
The Kiwi skipper is both the least experienced and the slowest scoring batter in New Zealand’s line-up right now. Whenever the 33-year-old is out in the middle, the pressure would be on his partner to up the ante. Primarily against spin, he is the fourth-slowest scoring batter in T20Is since 2022 (Test-playing nations).
However, in his last five T20Is, Williamson has four 40+ scores. He can still be a run bank that a team may need on the tricky pitches in this World Cup. But, such batters are best suited right at the top. That position is unavailable, with Devon Conway and Finn Allen at the top. Thus, nothing about Williamson really clicks in the build-up of this tournament, except that he is the captain and needs to be fitted into the side.
Moreover, Conway is also coming back from an injury. Thus, New Zealand have two batters in the top three they won’t be 100% certain about.
They are also placed in what is termed a potential ‘group of death.’ Afghanistan’s presence in Group C alongside West Indies throws the cat among the pigeons. On these unpredictable pitches, New Zealand will start their campaign trying to elude the Afghan spinners. A slippery start can leave them in disarray early on.
Things to watch out for
- Kane Williamson’s form
- Ish Sodhi’s leg-breaks
- Trent Boult’s return
Tactical MVP
When you are talking about an efficient team, you look for an X-factor that can boost the side. Finn Allen is that player for New Zealand who can make the life of the Kiwi batters much easier at the top of the order.
He did that in the 2022 edition. While Allen averaged only 19 in the tournament, he scored at a strike rate of 186.3, batting alongside two slow starters in the top three – Devon Conway (strike rate 116.9) and Kane Williamson (116.3). In New Zealand’s first fixture against Australia, Allen took down Mitchell Starc during his 16-ball 42.
Since 2023, Allen has had a strike rate of 156.2 in the powerplay in T20Is, the second-highest among batters in Test-playing nations. New Zealand would hope Allen continues that in this edition to enable Conway and Williamson to get into their rhythm.
Probable first-choice XI
New Zealand’s top five is straightforward. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner should be their first three picks to frame the bowling attack.
As stated above, the Blackcaps have several all-rounders that give them a number of options to constitute their balance. For number six alone, they can pick one between Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman. Neesham at seven can leave them to pick one between another swing bowler in Matt Henry or a leg-spinner in Ish Sodhi.
Overall, New Zealand have three open slots to fill based on conditions.
Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson ( c ), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra/Mark Chapman/Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry/Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Group Games Schedule
New Zealand vs Afghanistan, June 8, Guyana
New Zealand vs West Indies, June 13, Trinidad
New Zealand vs Uganda, June 15, Trinidad
New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea, June 17, Trinidad
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