T20 World Cup 2021 Team Preview — New Zealand
Tags: New Zealand, World Cup, 2021, Cricket

The T20 World Cup 2021 for New Zealand will begin with Super 12 matches and they are all slated to play their opener against Pakistan on October 26. It is for the time in their history that will be entering an ICC tournament with an ICC Trophy in their cabinet. New Zealand have had heartbreaking stories in mega-events but their jinx ended in the inaugural edition of the 2019–21 WTC final when they defeated India to become World Test Champions.

Build up form

New Zealand will be taking the field in the tournament with a lot of strength and confidence as they defeated India in June 2021 to become World Test Champions. Their key players have been showing great form and that will only add to their cause of making this journey an eventful one.

However, after the WTC final, they had an upset against Bangladesh in a five-match T20I series where they lost 2–3 on the away soil. However, many of their key players were not present on the tour and the T20 WC campaign will be a different story with their full-strength squad.

Strength and Weakness of New Zealand squad

There are various positives in the NZ squad and the main stands to be their skipper Kane Williamson. Apart from being a cool skipper, he plays the anchor role for the side very well and has been a big match player. He showed his very best in the WTC final against India too and can replicate the same class now.

Adding to the batting lineup, veteran Martin Guptill holds a high significance as he can chip in with crucial runs and set the perfect tone for Kiwis. He stands to be the second-highest run-scorer in the T20Is only behind Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Devon Conway who averages 59.12 in T20Is can be of great help for New Zealand too.

Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner can make an impact on slow wickets in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah while for Dubai, they have great pacers like Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Kyle Jamieson. Talking of weakness in their squad, it is known to all that Boult didn’t have a fine IPL and couldn’t make a mark in the UAE. On the other hand, Jamieson isn’t an out-and-out T20 bowler. Even Williamson would be returning after a hamstring niggle.

Players to watch out for-

Adaptability and Flexibility

The criteria fit well for Blackcaps as they have players who can stand tall in all conditions. Sodhi and Santner will be crucial in the subcontinent whereas pacers will hold their heads high in Dubai pitches. Barring a miracle, the T20 WC journey of the New Zealand players can be expected to be a smooth one. A fine all-rounder stands to be missing in their lot when compared to world-class all-rounders (Glenn Maxwell, Andres Russell, etc) in other teams, and hence, they will have to adapt in a way where this particular void won’t harm them.

Ross Taylor’s wrist work stands to be one of the best and New Zealand might miss his services in the UAE. As they are placed with India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in group 2, they will have to perform well against every team as even Afghanistan is capable of producing wonders on their day.

Probable Finish

Group one is being referred to as a group of death by experts around the world as it has the likes of England, Australia, West Indies, and South Africa. West Indies being the defending champions will be eyeing another title in the format whereas New Zealand will look forward to clinching their maiden glory in the World T20. Keeping their group (India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) in consideration, they can finish in the top two.

New Zealand Schedule of Super 12 games

26 October 2021 — New Zealand v Pakistan — 19:30 PM — Sharjah

31 October 2021 — New Zealand v India — 19:30 PM — Dubai

3 November 2021 — New Zealand v B1–15:30 PM — Dubai

5 November 2021 — New Zealand v A2–15:30 PM — Sharjah

7 November 2021 — New Zealand v Afghanistan — 15:30 PM — Abu Dhabi