Winners in 2000 and finalists in 2009, New Zealand bring a history of success into the ICC Champions Trophy.

(24th May 2013)

Winners in 2000 and finalists in 2009, New Zealand bring a history of success into the ICC Champions Trophy. However in recent years, the team's fortunes in limited overs cricket has been in stark contrast with the team languishing at 8th in the rankings. New leadership and recent results in South Africa suggest better days on the horizon. In this team preview; PakPassion.Net will examine New Zealand's strengths, weaknesses and players to watch out for.

Strengths

With the local conditions conducive to swing and pitches that traditionally favor pace bowlers, the New Zealand bowling attack should be the strong point of the side. The attack contains a talented crop of young seamers blended with some experienced campaigners such as the often under-appreciated ODI specialist Kyle Mills. The New Zealanders also have no shortage of useful part-timer bowlers throughout the squad.

Perhaps the only real X-factor to the New Zealand team is their excellent fielding making perhaps the best all-around fielding unit in world cricket. The Kiwis have shown in past tournaments what fielding pressure can do to opposition sides, so they will look to strangle teams whenever possible.

Weaknesses

As with any New Zealand side, the obvious weakness is always in the batting line up, with a collapse of some kind almost a certainty. There are some dangerous match-winners in Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum in the lineup but they often lack any consistent support in the middle order. 

The death overs have also been a constant problem in recent years with both bat and ball. With no Jacob Oram in the squad, the lower order lacks a bit of finishing power and more often than not, the job is left to the tailenders. Although the bowling attack is fairly strong, they are also let down by a lack of variation and early hard work is sometimes undone in the final overs.

Players to Watch Out For

Tim Southee
The New Zealand spearhead appears to have turned a corner after a frustratingly inconsistent start to his career. Although still young himself, Southee has taken up a leadership role in a very raw but promising bowling attack. His bowling in favorable conditions will be key for New Zealand's hopes in the tournament. 

Daniel Vettori
The left arm spinner is always a key figure for the New Zealand team, however he is coming into the Champions Trophy with very little cricket under his belt. In fact Vettori has not played in an ODI since the 2011 World Cup Semi Final. With some questioning his future in the game, Vettori will be eager to show he still has a lot left in the tank for this New Zealand team

Luke Ronchi
The hard hitting former Australian international should provide a few talking points as he looks to forge a new international career for the nation of his birth. Ronchi comes with an excellent reputation as a keeper and should provide some punch to the often fragile middle order.

How far can they go?
More than capable of sneaking into yet another semi-final but lack the quality to go all the way.

Discuss!