New Zealand Cricket Team updated squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 announced

New Zealand will face defending champions England in the opening encounter of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

New Zealand had a heartbreak in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final against England. New Zealand missed out on their maiden World Cup title by a whisker. England defeated New Zealand in the final by controversial ‘boundary count’ after the game ended as a tie in the super over as well. New Zealand have played two back-to-back finals in the World Cup and would want to make it their third time lucky to get their hands on cricket’s most coveted trophy. New Zealand announced their World Cup on 11th September with a big surprise as Kane Williamson set to make his comeback. 

Captain Williamson is back

Captain Kane Williamson’s participation in the opening game against England is still in doubt but NZ team management is certain about Williamson’s presence after the first few games in the main event. Along with Kane Williamson, Pace bowler Tim Southee is the most experienced man in New Zealand’s 15-member squad for the World Cup 2023. Southee and Williamson both will be playing their 4th World Cup event in their career. Both started around the same time in the Under-19 team and then they were drafted into the 2011 World Cup and after that, they represented their country in the 2015 and 2019 final campaign. 

Kane Williamson will be supported by Tom Latham in the leadership role as he is appointed vice-captain of the team. Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Will Young, Mark Chapman, and Daryl Mitchell will be taking up the key responsibilities in the batting order. Devon Conway and Tom Latham are the two good players against spin and they have a crucial role to play in the entire campaign. Coach Gary Stead and captain Kane Williamson have preferred players will all-round ability in the World Cup squad. 

Massive Stock of all-rounders

Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, and Tom Latham can provide the team with extra wicket-keeping options with Phillips also being used as a part-time bowler. Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, and Mark Chapman are all-rounders. Ish Sodhi, Rachin Ravindra, and Mitchell Santner will be taking up the responsibility in spin bowling. All of them can also contribute 20-30 runs in lower-order. Trent Boult will lead the Kiwi pace attack alongside Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and experienced Tim Southee. 

New Zealand final squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson (C), Tom Latham (Wk) (Vc), Devon Conway (Wk), Glenn Phillips, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

New Zealand will be playing their two warm-up games against Pakistan and South Africa. Taking on two in-form teams will give a major boost to before the tournament's opening game against England at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. New Zealand will be looking to set the tone for themselves with power-packed performance in the warm-up round. They recently lost a 4-match ODI series against England and defeated Bangladesh in Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series leading up to the World Cup.