New Zealand T20 World Cup: The runners-up of the 2021 T20 World Cup will look to win the title this time, however, the biggest hurdle amongst them will be Australia again, as the tournament is in Australia.
One of the most under rated teams before every big tournament, New Zealand, many times proved the pundits wrong by their performance, having reached two out of two times 50-over World Cup finals, and one out of two times T-2o World Cup final in the past few 7 years, and winning the first World Test Championship in 2021.
The Black Caps are now all set for yet another thrilling tournament, but they are once again not been considered as the favourites to win the cup.
However, the team is looking much strong on paper and hold the ability to turn the tables at any stage of the tournament.
Let’s take a quick look at the strengths and Weaknesses of the side and how well they are ready for the marquee event.
Strengths
Destructive Openers
Both Martin Guptill and Devon Conway already established themselves as one of the most destructive openers of the current era.
However, Guptill’s form witnessed a bit disturbance this year, as he only managed to score 198 runs in 9 games he played this year at a strike rate of 122.22.
But, there’s nothing to worry about as he is a big match player and even if he fails to deliver. New Zealand is ready with Finn Allen, who so far smashed 178 in 7 matches he played in 2022 with a strike rate of 154.78. Conway, on the other hand, has played 3 games only this year, but his strike rate of 132.50 is better than decent as an opener.
Run-rate during middle-overs
Apart from the skipper Kane Williamson, who takes time to settle, there’s no other batter in the side who can play the game defensively, as all are destructive hitters.
Everyone from Glenn Philips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham to Michael Bracewell, all are carrying a 150+ strike-rate in 2022 so far, truly describes the team’s playing approach in the shortest format of the game.
And when we say that Kane Williamson plays a bit slow, we must remember his innings, he played during the final of T20 World Cup 2021, where he smashed 85 off 48 at a strike rate of 177.08.
Powerful bowlers
There hardly be someone who will say that he didn’t know about the duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee and how dangerous they are on their given day.
With the marquee event set to take place in their neighbouring country, these bowlers will be the players everyone should aware off. Lockie Ferguson’s pace will be cheery on top for them.
The Black Caps spinner, however, on roll this year, with Ish Sodhi, taking the most wickets so far as a New Zealander this year (16 wickets in 10 games). While Mitchell Santner took 12 wickets in the same number of matches as Sodhi.
Weaknesses
Form of Captain
New Zealand’s skipper Kane Williamson’s form may be a cause of concern for the last year’s finalists, as the star batter and captain was seen in bit of pressure while batting in the last few games. And he needs to buckle up before the mega event.
Last Chance
Team New Zealand are in a tough group with Australia, England and Afghanistan, while two more teams will join the group after the qualifiers. And they have only chance left ahead of them to balance their side in the tri-series against Pakistan and Bangladesh at home right before the mega event.
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