T20 World Cup New Zealand

After winning the first-ever ICC Test Championship and reaching the ICC men’s T20 World Cup final in 2021, the Kiwis are all set to win their maiden World T20 title in 2022. In this article, we will try to find the most probable list of New Zealand cricket team players for the upcoming T20 World cup.

ICC has recently released the full fixtures of the T20 world cup 2022. After the covid 19 pandemic, this is going to be the first ICC tournament in Australia.16 teams will compete in the mega event. Among those 16 teams, 8 top teams are already qualified for the super 12 stages. Other 8 global qualifying teams will play the group stage, and among those 8 teams, 4 teams will qualify to the super 12 stages. The super 12 stages will be started with the match between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Oct 22.

New Zealand was among the most consistent teams in the last decade. They reached the semi-final of World T20 in 2016 and the final in 2021, but this time, they will keep no stone unturned to cross the final hurdle. Kane Williamson-led New Zealand will be one of the top contenders to win the title. The Kiwi Management will not change the core of their team as they got success in white-ball cricket with this team in recent history. So, the team will be similar to their team in the last edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. But a few important changes can make their team stronger.

Gary Stead has been at the helm of New Zealand Coaching since August 2018. In his tenure, the world has undoubtedly seen the best version of the New Zealand team for a long time. The amount of growth they have made in his presence is quite extraordinary. After the retirement of Brendon Mccullum, the captaincy baton was handed over to Kane Williamson in 2015. The rise in the Blackcaps team in his captaincy is remarkable. They are not ‘dark horses' anymore. They have become serious title challengers.

Likely squad of New Zealand Cricket Players for the T20 World Cup, and their performance in the past T20 World Cup

So, let's look at the players who are likely to be picked for the New Zealand Team for the T20 World Cup 2022 and their recent past performance.

New Zealand’s top order has been a perfect blending of calm and aggression throughout the years. The opening combination of Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell can give a fiery start in every match by making complete use of batting powerplay. The veteran Guptill gives a bit of explosiveness at the top of the order while the latter can anchor the inning.

The opening partner of Guptill, 31-year-old Mitchell scored 197 runs with an average of almost 40 in the previous edition of the tournament, including a match-winning knock against England in the semi-final. Tom Latham will be the backup option in the opening and wicket keeping. The number three will be the most technically sound batsman in this batting lineup and the New Zealand cricket captain, Kane Williamson. His calm nature in captaincy and classy batting in all formats of the game made him one of the greatest in this era.

New Zealand’s middle order will be like this: Devon Conway at four, Glenn Phillips at five, and Neesham at six.

After the retirement of Ross Taylor, Devon Conway is that player who has cemented his place in New Zealand’s middle order in all formats. Although he was ruled out from the world cup final last year, this wicket-keeper batsman made 129 runs at a strike rate of 108.40, including his brilliant performance to knock out England in the semi-final. The other options in the middle order can be someone like Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips. Hong-Kong-born 27-year-old Mark Chapman is a very young and talented left-handed batsman who can bat at number five or six and bowl a couple of overs. He was in the world cup team last year but did not get enough chances. But this time, he can be a very good option in the middle order.

On the other hand, the Kiwi management uses Glenn Phillips as a floater. If there is a good batting partnership at the top of the order, he can be sent up the order in the batting lineup. Otherwise, he, along with the all-rounder, James Neesham, will perform the role of the perfect finisher in this lineup. The latter brings balance to the team with his all-around ability. He can increase the run rate in slog overs with his quick knocks and give a breakthrough with his right arm medium fast bowling whenever needed. Along with the fast bowling all-rounder James Neesham, there is a batting all-rounder, Rachin Ravindra, the best choice in this position. Ravindra made his T20 debut last year against India. He can bat down the order and can bowl left-arm spin also. He will not be in the first XI but can be a very good backup option in Kane’s team.

The famous spin duo Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi will be there in the squad. Even in Australian conditions, these two will be very impactful as far as variation is concerned.

Now comes their pace battery, the strongest part of this side. The fast bowling unit featuring Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson is more dangerous than any bowling lineup. All of them are genuine match winners. Trent Boult and Tim Southee can pick two or three crucial wickets in the powerplay to place New Zealand on the driving seat at the very beginning of the match, whereas Lockie Ferguson and Kyle Jamieson can bowl very economically in the slog overs with their Yorkers and slowers while defending any score. They also have a huge experience of playing the T20 leagues across the globe. They can destroy any batting lineup in the world on their day. In the bouncy wicket of Adelaide Oval and Melbourne Cricket Ground, this bowling attack will be more destructive.

Cricket enthusiasts like Fantasy Cricket players would know that if New Zealand wants to be the world champion, their fast bowling attack will be their most powerful weapon. So, with this kind of combination with proper youth and experience and in favourable conditions in Australia, The Blackcaps will be one of the frontrunners to take that ICC men’s T20 World Cup trophy starting from October 2022.

Likely New Zealand’s Team For T20 World Cup 2022: Kane Williamson(c), Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(wk), Devon Conway(wk), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson.

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