New Zealand Team preview ahead of T20 World Cup

New Zealand The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup is now in full flow and before long the competition will reach its next stage, the Super 12s, where New Zealand enter the competition. 

Last year’s beaten finalists, the Black Caps will surely be among the front runners in this year’s competition as they look to avenge defeat by this year’s hosts Australia. 

And ahead of their opener against Australia on Saturday – we look at the New Zealand team in focus. 

2022 Prospects 

New Zealand have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 12s, alongside Afghanistan, Australia and England, with two further teams – one from Group A and one from Group B of the first round also joining. 

They will need to come in the top two of those six sides to reach the knockout stage, which they have done in the previous two editions of the T20 World Cup. 

The Kiwis enter the competition in mixed form, having lost to South Africa and Pakistan, but recently enjoying victories against Bangladesh (twice) and against Pakistan in a T20 tri-series. 

A 3-0 series defeat to the West Indies before that shows how much their form has been up and down, but they will be hoping heading into Australia to improve their consistency. 

Having made it to the semi-finals in the previous two World Cups, New Zealand will expect to be there for a third consecutive time, but with both England and Australia there as well as Afghanistan – it may be easier said than done. 

Saturday – we look at the New Zealand team in focus. 

2022 Prospects 

New Zealand have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 12s, alongside Afghanistan, Australia and England, with two further teams – one from Group A and one from Group B of the first round also joining. 

They will need to come in the top two of those six sides to reach the knockout stage, which they have done in the previous two editions of the T20 World Cup. 

The Kiwis enter the competition in mixed form, having lost to South Africa and Pakistan, but recently enjoying victories against Bangladesh (twice) and against Pakistan in a T20 tri-series. 

A 3-0 series defeat to the West Indies before that shows how much their form has been up and down, but they will be hoping heading into Australia to improve their consistency. 

Best Bowlers 

New Zealand’s batting is a strength, but they are not without a top-quality bowling line-up either. 

Their long-standing partnership consists of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who, like Williamson have mastered the art of all three formats in New Zealand’s most successful run. 

Both Southee and Boult have outstanding records at T20 level and are surely one of the most imposing opening bowling pairings in the World Cup this year. 

Southee’s 122 T20 international wickets have come at an average of 24.62 and Boult’s average is even more impressive, taking 66 wickets at 22.71. 

The pair are complemented by spinner Mitchell Santner, ranked 12th in the world, with 80 wickets 22.4.