T20 World Cup – New Zealand team preview

New Zealand fell at the final hurdle last year when losing to Australia in a thrilling title decider at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Dubai but have a squad capable of going one step further

Squad

Kane Williamson (c), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Lachlan Ferguson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Finn Allen.

Best finish at tournament

Runner-Up (2021)

It was a case of so near, yet so far for Kane Williamson’s side as New Zealand were beaten by their arch-rival Australia in last year’s T20 World Cup Final in Dubai.

New Zealand had swept into the knockout stages with just one loss to their name and Daryl Mitchell was the hero in the semi-final against England with an unbeaten 72 to guide the Kiwis home.

It was a different story in the decider against the Aussies, with New Zealand’s total of 172/4 chased down with more than an over to spare as Australia clinched their maiden T20 World Cup title.

Results in the last 10 T20I games

(most recent first) W W L L W W W W W W

Fixtures

22 October: v Australia
26 October: v Afghanistan
29 October: v Group A winner
1 November: v England
4 November: v Group B runner-up

Key match

v England – November 1

By the time the Kiwis’ penultimate group match comes around, the semi-final picture is sure to be much clearer and this clash could prove pivotal for both side’s chances of reaching the knockout stages.

England are ranked second on the current T20I team rankings and New Zealand will need to keep Jos Buttler and co quiet if they want to prevail in this one. England are sure to be out for revenge for their semi-final defeat to New Zealand at last year’s T20 World Cup and all eyes will be on The Gabba to see which team can hold their nerve best.

Key player

Trent Boult – The left-arm pacer is more than capable of making early inroads with the new ball and this was evident at last year’s edition as he helped himself to the most wickets (13) of any fast bowler at the event.

Boult can move the ball both ways in the air and has shown in the past his liking to the suitable conditions in Australia.

The Kiwis will once again be looking for Boult to make a couple of early breakthroughs as it allows their other bowlers to attack more during the middle overs.