- Captain: Kane Williamson.
- Coach: Gary Stead.
- 2015 WC Result: Finalists.
- Best Result: Runner-up in 2015.
- Ignored for squad: Todd Astle, BJ Watling, Mitchell McClenaghan, Corey Anderson, Tim Seifert (injury).
TEAM NEW ZEALAND
The New Zealand cricket team commonly know as Kiwis or Black Caps has been playing the ICC Cricket World Cup since the start but are yet to be declared champions. Out of 11 editions, they have managed to reach the semi-finals 5 times and last edition in 2015, they even made it into the finals of this prestigious global tournament. Kiwis have had very consistent results in limited-overs cricket and have an experienced bowling line-up on their side.
On 3rd of April, head coach Gary Stead announced the 15-man New Zealand squad for upcoming cricket world. The selection of Tom Blundell as standby wicket keeper has surprised many. Tim Seifert who plays T20 internationals and also made his ODI debut in January against Sri Lanka was the preferred wicket keeper but couldn’t make it to the squad because of finger injury. With injured Tom Latham in doubt for the WC opening game, Blundell may even get a game.
“In the end, we have gone with Tom Blundell. We believe his keeping ability is superior,” said New Zealand Head Coach, Gary Stead.
On the other hand there was a tough selection between Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle, and according to the records of first-class games in held March in which Sodhi proved his spot as an attacking bowler taking 24 wickets in his final three games. Sodhi picked up 4 wickets in 2 games at IPL 2019 and New Zealand have a pretty deadly pace attack with Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry.
The betting responsibility for the kiwis fall on the shoulder of captain Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor. The all-rounders selected are James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme. James Neesham hardly batted this year but whenever he played he scored important runs for his side but has been pretty economical with bowling taking 10 wickets this year. What a journey it has been for him coming from contemplating retirement recently.
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“You will have nine [other] teams who will all have slightly different ways of playing, the word is it will be a high-scoring World Cup as well, but the best chance with the ball is certainly if we can bowl teams out and be aggressive in that. Think that will be a critical factor,” said coach Stead to ESPNCricinfo.
Ross Taylor will bat in the middle order for Kiwis and will also be playing his 4th World Cup, coming into the tournament with some rich form. Taylor has been playing good this year with 137 vs Sri Lanka, 93 vs India and a double century vs Bangladesh. Martin Guptill scored unbeaten 237 in CWC 2015 and has been scoring well this year, 137 vs Sri Lanka, and 117* & 118 vs Bangladesh this year. Williamson will be the worry as he had only one good knock in 9 innings at IPL 2019.
New Zealand Squad for ICC 2019 World Cup:
Kane Williamson (C), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell (WK), Tom Latham (WK), Colin Munro, James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
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2019 World Cup Betting?
Fancy New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup?!
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— Read Scoops (@ReadScoops) May 21, 2019
The x-factor is NZ’s bowling attack. UK swinging pitches will be a nightmare for batsman to play a pace duo like Southee and Boult. Neesham, CdG, Ferguson, Henry along with Sodhi and Santner bring more depth and variations to the New Zealand bowling line up. Even the coach has Stead believes that taking wickets is what will help teams win matches in CWC 2019. Keep following ReadScoops.com for all major updates from the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup
