The New Zealand Cricket Team are one of the improved teams when it comes to World Cups. They lost to England in a dramatic Super Over via boundary count during the 2019 World Cup.
Their team proves tough with top-quality batters who can play attacking shots and bowlers who could utilize the conditions making life tough for the opponents. Under the leadership of Kane Williamson, New Zealand would be hoping to go one better and win the title for the very first time.
Here we look at the SWOT Analysis of the New Zealand Team:
Strengths:
Kane Williamson will make a comeback in international cricket after 7 months after recovering from a knee injury. Their top order looks solid with the likes of Devon Conway and Finn Allen providing decent starts to the team. Kiwi’s batting order relies on Kane Williamson and leadership skills make him a brilliant skipper. He played a key role in helping New Zealand win their ODI series on Pakistani soil since 1976.
The bowling attack also looks strong with the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry comprising pace bowling options. Mitchell Santer and Ish Sodhi will lead the spin bowling department that will create an impact on Indian pitches. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson have the experience of playing in Indian conditions. They will play a key role in helping New Zealand put pressure on the opponents with their skills.
Weaknesses:
New Zealand batters’ inability to play spinners and with turning tracks, things can become worse. Kane Williamson is the only player who can counter-spin well. Other batters like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips could find it tough in World Cup 2023.
The Kiwis team has a dismal record in One-day internationals on Indian soil. They played a total of 61 ODIs with the New Zealand team winning just 18 and losing 41. They need to improve their record in the upcoming World Cup to become the World Champion for the first time.
Opportunities:
New Zealand has done brilliantly in ICC tournaments since 2003. They are the only team to qualify for four successive semi-finals. Under the captaincy of Brendon McCullum, New Zealand reached the finals of the World Cup in 2015.
Kiwis made it into the finals of the 2019 World Cup after defeating India in the semi-finals. New Zealand has top-quality players that can change the course of the game and help them to win their first ICC title.
Threats:
New Zealand’s performance in World Cups on Indian soil has not been great. They played the 1987, 1996, and 2011 editions. Kiwis reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup losing to Sri Lanka. Their performance in 1986 and 1996 was not great.
During the 1987 World Cup, they won just 2 matches out of six and did not qualify for the semi-finals. Their performance in the 1996 World Cup held in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh they lost in the quarterfinals.
New Zealand will be facing India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan with top-quality spinners that might trouble the batters who lack experience of playing in Indian conditions. Apart from Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips, none of the New Zealand batters need to play spin well of any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Squads:
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young
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