ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Team Profile: New Zealand Cricket Team

New Zealand to play the tournament opener against England on October 5th at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

New Zealand missed out on their maiden World Cup title by the barest of margins against England at The Lord’s in 2019 World Cup finals. Now, after landing in India, Blackcaps will be looking to wash away the old memories when they begin their campaign against defending champions England at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. This will be the curtain-raiser for the mega event happening on Indian soil for the fourth time in its history.

New Zealand began well in India, as they smashed Pakistan in the warm-up game. They are also boosted by the presence of captain Kane Williamson. New Zealand skipper showed some positive signs when he came in to bat against Pakistan in Hyderabad. However, Williamson will be missing the first few games, but his presence will remain crucial for the entire team. New Zealand are always dark horses in big tournaments and punch above their weight in action.

Performance in the last ICC Cricket World Cup: Runners-up:

In 2019, Blackcaps played their second back-to-back World Cup finals and almost came close to winning the championship against England. The finals was played at Lord's, where both played a tie before the super over. New Zealand were inching closer to winning their maiden World Cup title, but Ben Stokes’ bat came in as the biggest obstruction. Stokes, with the help of a throw that hit his bat, which ricocheted towards the boundary, helped England tie the game and move towards a super over.

The super over was also ended up in a tie when Guptill failed to complete his second run, needing just two of the last two balls for the championship. England were crowned champions in a controversial decision of ‘Most number of boundaries’ scored in the game. Later on, this decision ignited a debate about deciding a world champions with a bizarre rule in the game. New Zealand played in two back-to-back finals of World Cup in 2015 and 2019.

New Zealand's squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

Kiwis have always been a side full of players with all-round skills. From top to bottom, Blackcaps carry several options with multiple roles. Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Ish Sodhi are all equipped with decent batting ability as well as a decent bowling performance for the team. Similarly, the team also consists of several wicket-keeping options.

Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Will Young, and Devon Conway are four options with multiple skills as batters as well as wicket-keepers. Kane Williamson is once again picked as the leader of the squad, and he looks set for a comeback. Williamson will be missing the first few games, but he will play his part in Blackcaps squad. Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and star Trent Boult will be leading the charge in the pace bowling attack.

New Zealand Full Squad: Kane Williamson (C), Tom Latham (vc), Will Young, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, 

New Zealand's strongest playing XI for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

Indian Premier League experience will play a big part in New Zealand’s playing XI. Devon Conway will be leading the charge as the opener, along with Will Young. Skipper Kane Williamson will be Blackcaps' No. 3 batting option, and the experience of Tom Latham will be used at No. 4 batting option in the middle-order. Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Jimmy Neesham will be the all-rounders playing in the lower-order.

To use Indian conditions, New Zealand will be playing with Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi in the spin bowling attack. Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson will be taking charge of the pace bowling attack. Trent Boult has been a prolific wicket-taking option for New Zealand team in recent years. Boult will be troubling the batters with the new ball. Henry is expected to join the new ball with Boult.

New Zealand's strongest Playing XI: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson ©, Tom Latham (vc & wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Trent Boult 

New Zealand's coaching staff for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

New Zealand’s current head coach, Gary Stead, was the first to object to deciding World Cup winner with a boundary count rule. Stead proposed the idea of sharing the title in case of a tie. Stead joined New Zealand setup in 2018, and he has been serving as the team's head coach. Stead’s contract remains until the 2025 Champions Trophy. He will be looking to grab the opportunity with both hands in the upcoming World Cup in 2023.

Former wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi was part of New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup campaign. He is now serving as Kiwi team’s batting coach. Ronchi was part of New Zealand camp as a support staff member for the 2019 World Cup as well. Former Australian domestic pace bowler Shane Jurgensen will be assisting Kiwi team as bowling coach. This is his second stint as Blackcaps' bowling coach. Jamie Foster is New Zealand’s fielding coach.

Head coach: Gary Stead, Batting coach: Luke Ronchi, Bowling coach: Shane Jurgensen, Fielding coach: Jamie Foster 

Strengths:

1. Experience in Indian condition: Almost half of the current New Zealand team have Indian Premier League experience and this will come of good use to them in their World Cup campaign. 

2. Great ICC event record: New Zealand cricket team are always considered dark horses in every ICC event but they always surprise everyone with their performances. NZ have played 4 finals out of the last 7 ICC events from World Cup 2015. 

3. A squad full of all-rounders: This will be one of the biggest advantages New Zealand will carry throughout the tournament in India. They have a good mix of players who can contribute and take charge on anyone’s poor day during the game. 

Weaknesses:

1. Captain’s absence in first few games: New Zealand will probably be missing the services of their skipper in the first few games, this will be the time when teams will be gaining momentum going forward. Williamson’s absence will surely make an impact. 

2. Lack of Quality Spinners: In dry and dusty Indian conditions, Blackcaps will be without a formidable option in spin bowling. Ish Sodhi has done well in the past but his consistency has always been an issue.

New Zealand Players to watch out for in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

Opener Devon Conway had a wonderful run in IPL 2023 for Chennai Super Kings. He ended IPL 2023 as the third-leading run-scorer with 672 runs. New Zealand camp will be expecting Conway to replicate his IPL performance in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Conway will be Blackcaps’ X-factor in the mega event.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell did a great job as New Zealand No. 5 in the middle-order. Mitchell smashed a century against England in the Cardiff ODI, along with Devon Conway. The all-rounder will play a key role as a finisher for his team and also contribute a few overs in power play 2. Mitchell is a decent bowler as well.

Opponents will be planning their strategy around Trent Boult when they play against New Zealand in the upcoming mega event. With winter knocking on the doors, Boult will be getting great assistance from Indian pitches as well. A bit of moisture will be there to assist new-ball bowlers after the mid-October weather.

New Zealand's fixture for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

New Zealand will be playing England in Ahmedabad, Netherlands in Hyderabad, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Chennai, Australia and India in Dharamshala, South Africa in Pune, and Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Bangalore. Before entering the tournament, they will play their final warm-up game against South Africa at Greenfield Stadium in Trivandrum.

What to expect from New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023?

New Zealand punched above their weight in ICC tournaments. Despite having a poor bilateral record before the mega event, this team has shown how they can turn around and bind themselves together in the big ICC events. Playing two back-to-back finals in World Cup event will also help their campaign in India.

Kane Williamson-led squad will be looking to put everything aside to wash away the old memories. Many experts have put Kiwi team as one of the favourites to play in the semi-finals of this tournament. New Zealand have never missed qualifying for the top 4 round in their last four World Cup campaigns.