So close, yet so far!!!! This has been the position of the New Zealand for the past three white ball ICC trophies wherein they weren't able to keep their hands on the coveted ICC trophies. They are tagged as the "gentlemen" of present day cricket wherein they capture the hearts of the fans with their smiles and cool attitude but there is something which is lingering their chances of the result of W (Win) or Champions in finals of ICC tournament. Hope this T20 WC which is happening in the dugout of their rival pave way for their chance to keep their hands for the first time on the T20 WC trophy.
NZC announced their squad for the upcoming T20 world cup in Australia, on 2nd September 2022.
The most predicted and expected squad for this T20I WC is assembled by Kiwis. Punching above the weight will always be the tagline and they also proving that again and again irrespective of their resources, player availabilities and some gimmick rules (But English critics only whining about Mankad). Also Kiwis were the finalists of last T20I world cup and the toss biased Dubai venue also hurted them in finals.
Only three changes have been made to the Black Caps squad that featured in the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup, with Lockie Ferguson, Michael Bracewell and Finn Allen replacing Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle and Tim Seifert respectively. They retained the nucleus of squad mostly. Finn Allen is the excited addition to the squad who is already striking at nearly 170 SR in T20Is. Also on testing tracks vs Windies in ODI’s he showed his temperament. No doubt, he will be one of the most exciting global T20 stars in future. Michael Bracewell is adding different dimension to the squad by his blistering all-round capabilities. Recently vs Dutch team, he proved his mettle and shown glimpses vs England in tests through his batting.
Mark Chapman retained his spot in the squad along with Phillips. If Mark Chapman gives that left handed big hitting dynamism , then the ever exuberant and lion hearted Glenn Phillips will be providing much needed balance, range and versatility. Lockie Ferguson returns to the squad after getting excluded from last World cup just before the start because of injury and hopefully his 150Kph rockets will terrorize the opponents along with experienced global pros Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Adam Milne will be their option if he maintains his fitness levels. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner will be handling Kiwis spin department along with part timers Bracewell and Philips. Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham will be their propellants, both of them always giving 110% on the field in every facets of the game.
Martin Guptill is going to play his 7th world cup as opener for NZ and he is the first NZ player on the path to do that and hopefully he will rediscover his lost mojo.
Did I missed someone??
Yes it’s their skipper Kane Williamson. Modern day batting great was never a liability for such long phase. Iceman of NZ is not the same after tennis elbow injury, his range shrinks along with his stay in the crease in recent times. But he is the player for big occasions and those who doubting his T20 credentials for sometime might be ready to eat their own words. Writing off players like Kane is not advisable.
Strengths:
None of the other teams has much all-round options like NZ. They got versatile players like Philips, Mitchell and Neesham , all willing to play anywhere and can roll their arm if their captain just winks to them. Options will be their modus operandi, Versatility and Fielding dynamism will be the catalysts of that squad. Mitchell Santner can bowl economically on PP and also he provides control in middle overs along with his meagre bowling as support to leggie Sodhi. Santner is one of the very few operators who bowls well to left handers. Bigger boundaries and bounce in Australian pitches will help him surely. Devon Conway provides excellent stability with the bat along with wicket keeping gloves for all 20 overs along with the adventure of Finn Allen( if he replaces Guptill); Philips, Mitchell and Neesham will flex their power game and 360 degree game in lower middle order. Boult’s new ball spell might be a decisive factor if ball swings.
Weakness:
NZ bowlers always struggled in Australia. Both Boult and Southee might expect some favor from pitch or conditions which they not going to get mostly during the tourney. Injury prone speedster Ferguson should step up on those tracks. Kane Williamson’s form along with inconsistency of Guptill will be their Achilles heel. Their all-rounders going expensive sometimes is also a worrying factor.
Opportunities:
Placed in Group 1 of super 12 along with their neighbors Australia, powerhouse England , young Afghanistan and two teams coming through qualifiers (hopefully Sri Lanka and Scotland), there should not be a room for complacency because they are in the Group of Death (no quarter finals too). New Zealand always got that vibe for giant slaying capabilities during multinational tournaments. If they beat one among Australia or England it will be much easier to qualify. Anything lesser than semifinals will hurt them badly. Watch out for their fielding masterclass during the tournament. Born Athletes they are. They slayed giants like India and England in previous tournament and expect the same this year too.
Threats:
Form of their captain and their most recent series were vs Netherlands and Windies. They played much lesser cricket than other giants. The loss to Pakistan in the tri-series vs Pakistan and Bangladesh hurted them and hope it would have given them much needed clarity before the World cup. They also got injury prone players in the squad which is also a worrying sign. Their bowling in Australia is not penetrative enough in T20Is. Kiwis can also win trophies, not only hearts if they realize and play up to their full potential. Thoughts about choking in finals is always wandering over them. Kane & Co always carrying monkey on their back, their biggest nemesis.
Best Possible Playing XI:
Devon Conway, Finn Allen (wk), Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
