New Zealand team is scheduled to kick off their ICC T20 World Cup journey on 22nd October against their rivals Australia in Sydney cricket ground.
The top order in New Zealand has been a wonderful blend of calm and aggression. By utilizing the batting powerplay exclusively, the opening combination of Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell can provide a heated start in every contest. At the top of the order, veteran Guptill provides some explosiveness, while the latter may anchor the inning.
Mitchell, Guptill’s opening partner, scored 197 runs at an average of over 40 in the previous tournament, including a match-winning hit against England in the semifinal. Tom Latham will serve as the backup opener and wicketkeeper.
The New Zealand cricket captain, Kane Williamson, will bat third, the most technically sound hitter in this batting lineup. His calm captaincy and superb batting in all game formats elevated him to the ranks of the game’s all-time greats.
Devon Conway will bat at four, Glenn Phillips at five, and Neesham at six in New Zealand’s middle order.
Devon Conway has earned his place in New Zealand’s middle order in all formats since the retirement of Ross Taylor. Despite being left out of the World Cup final last year, this wicketkeeper batter scored 129 runs at a strike rate of 108.40, including a magnificent knockout of England in the semifinal.
Other choices in the middle order include Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips. 27-year-old Hong Kong native Mark Chapman is a talented young left-handed batsman who can bat at number five or six and bowl a few overs. He was a member of the World Cup team last year but could not earn enough playing time. However, this time, he may be a viable alternative in the middle order.
Glenn Phillips, on the other hand, is used as a floater by Kiwi management. If there is a strong batting partnership at the top of the order, he can be moved up in the batting order. Otherwise, he and all-rounder James Neesham will play the role of the ideal finisher in this team.
With his all-around talent, the latter offers balance to the team. With his rapid knocks, he can boost the run rate in slog overs and provide a breakthrough with his right arm medium pace bowling when needed.
Rachin Ravindra, a batting all-rounder, is the most excellent choice in this position, along with quick bowling all-rounder James Neesham. Ravindra made his T20 debut against India last year, and he can bat down the order and bowl left-arm spin. He will not be in Kane’s starting lineup, but he is an excellent backup option.
Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, the legendary spin combination, will be in the squad. Even in Australian conditions, these two will significantly impact variation.
The most significant aspect of this lineup is now their pace battery. Fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson are more threatening than any other bowling group. All of them are real match winners, and Trent Boult and Tim Southee can pick up two or three crucial wickets in the powerplay to put New Zealand in control early on.
On the other hand, 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 extensive experience playing in T20 leagues worldwide, and on their day, they can crush any batting lineup. This bowling attack will be more lethal on the bouncy Adelaide Oval and Melbourne Cricket Ground wickets.
Cricket fans understand that if New Zealand is to win the World Cup, their fast bowling attack will be their most potent weapon. So, with this mix of proper youth, experience, and adverse conditions in Australia, the Blackcaps will be among the frontrunners to claim the ICC men’s T20 World Cup title beginning in 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.
