The New Zealand of 2015 will no longer show up to play second fiddle to the traditional power-houses of the ODI world.

By PakPassion Staff (22nd January, 2015)

Perennial Semi Finalists New Zealand are amongst the in-form teams leading into the 2015 World Cup. Generally seen as over-achievers, this World Cup shows them for once going into the tournament as one of the teams to beat. Lead in all three forms these days by the swashbuckling Brendon McCullum, they are playing an attacking brand of cricket which on home soil will be hard to counter.

The batting is solidly led by the explosive Brendon McCullum with Martin Guptil, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot and the in-form Kane Williamson giving an imposing look to the line up. With the hard hitting of Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi and Tim Southee to maximise damage on the opposition in the latter overs. The World Cup co-hosts historically have always been a team with slow bowlers used to dry up the runs, but with ex-Kiwi international firebrand pace bowler Shane Bond as bowling coach, this time they have some real pace venom about their attack including Adam Milne who recently joined an elite fast bowlers club when he clocked over 150 km/hr. Offspinner Daniel Vettori also returns for one last hurrah in what will be his fourth ODI World Cup. With the Black Caps unequivocally accepted as the best fielding side in the world, they have very few weaknesses on show.

New Zealand are currently ranked number 6 in ODI's.


World Cup Record

1975 - (England) Semi Finals

1979 - (England) Semi Finals

1983 - (England) Group stage

1987 - (India/Pakistan) Group stage

1992 - (Australia/New Zealand) Semi Finals

1996 - (India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka) Quarter Finals

1999 - (England) Semi Finals

2003 - (South Africa/Zimbabwe) Super Sixes

2007 - (West Indies) Semi Finals

2011 - (India/Sri Lanka/Bangladesh) Semi Finals


Squad

Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Dan Vettori, Kane Williamson.


Top 3 players to watch

Brendon McCullum

Batting average: 30.54 Strike rate : 91.70

Ever since he hung up the gloves the skipper's stature as a batsman has risen. His brutal batting up the top of the order will provide New Zealand with the ideal blistering starts. Giving him the captaincy has also helped him impose himself further on the style of his team. With this being his fourth World Cup, he would dearly love to leave a mark on the game and become the first Kiwi to lift that coveted trophy at the MCG.


Kane Williamson

Batting average: 44.14 Strike rate : 81.19

The Black Caps reliable right handed batsman is in some ominous red hot form. His last six ODI scores are 70*, 46, 123, 97, 15, 103, and you can throw in a test double century against Sri Lanka in that period too. The stylish 24 year old batsman has a range of strokes as well as a solid defence making him the perfect No 3 for all match situations. He has 5 ODI centuries at a tender age and is also seen as a future captain.

Tim Southee

Bowling average : 31.34 Economy: 5.19

At 26 years of age, Southee is the leader of the bowling attack. Having been a regular in the New Zealand side for 7 years, the swing bowler has all the variations required to be successful in this format. At the last World Cup in the subcontinent, he picked up a handy 18 wickets and Southee will be hoping to improve on those numbers in more familiar home conditions.


Prediction:

New Zealand look a strong balanced team and are seen by many as dark horses of the tournament. If an opposition team is having an off day, you can be sure the Black Caps will punish them. However will they be able to break the hoodoo of getting unstuck at the Semi Final stage? That is yet to be seen.     

Discuss!