3 Areas New Zealand Need To Work On To Win Champions Trophy 2025

Jatin

New Zealand has some areas to address ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @SriniMaama16/x.com]New Zealand has some areas to address ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @SriniMaama16/x.com]

New Zealand’s gearing up for the 2025 Champions Trophy with a fresh skipper at the helm and there’s an air of excitement around the Black Caps camp. Mitchell Santner, who’s replacing Kane Williamson as captain for a global event for the first time, is leading a side packed with promise and talent.

They have got their share of proven match-winners: Kane’s class, Daryl Mitchell’s fearless hitting, Tom Latham’s calm presence yet they’re a team in transition. Boult and Southee, once the heart and soul of their new-ball attack, have hung up their boots. And while that change may feel like a seismic shift, the Kiwis are no strangers to rewriting the script.

Still, it takes more than just dtermination and a few star names to go deep in a high-pressure tournament. Here are 3 areas New Zealand need to work on to win Champions Trophy 2025.

1. Death Bowling Headache

Remember the days when Trent Boult would swing the ball into right-handers before nailing those toe-crushing yorkers at the death? That’s in the rearview mirror now. With both Boult and Tim Southee calling it quits, New Zealand’s death bowling cupboard is looking a tad bare.

Matt Henry is now the man in charge of handling the crunch overs but his track record with injuries might send a chill down the spine of Kiwi fans. When he’s fit, Henry’s been almost unplayable at times with his ODI average since 2020 is a mind-blowing 23.8. 

The trouble is keeping him on the park. Lockie Ferguson adds raw pace, which can unsettle batters, but he isn’t the most economical option at the backend. Moreover, he is injured and it will be interesting to see if he recovers in time.

The rising stars Ben Sears and Will O’Rourke are quick and aggressive, but they’ll face a baptism of fire on subcontinental pitches that often turn flat under lights. A few misfired yorkers and the opposition could pile on runs in the final overs. If New Zealand don’t shore up their death-bowling plans, they could see teams finishing strong and batting them out of games.

2. Missing A Wrist Spinner

There’s a lot to love about New Zealand’s spin brigade. Mitchell Santner is a master at stifling batters with his clever angles and pace variations. Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips can also keep it tight, while Rachin Ravindra adds more depth with the ball.

But there’s something missing: a genuine wrist spinner who can spin the ball both ways and claim big wickets during those middle overs. Finger spinners do the job well enough, but in a tournament where subcontinental pitches might reward bold spin, a wrist spinner could have been the ace in the hole.

Without that X-factor, New Zealand’s spin attack might rely too heavily on Mitchell Santner’s ability to force mistakes.

3. Young Pacers Need To Stand Tall

This Kiwi pace attack is in a state of flux. With Trent Boult and Tim Southee gone, the baton has been passed to a new generation. Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears are both exciting talents who can hit the deck hard and crank up speeds that raise eyebrows. Nathan Smith is also someone who could slip under the radar. He can seam the ball around, plus he’s handy with the bat.

However, Asia can be unforgiving. If the ball doesn’t swing or seam, pace alone won’t guarantee wickets. Bowlers need variations, discipline and the calm to ride out those steamy conditions when batters start playing cat-and-mouse. 

O’Rourke still battles with control issues; he’s capable of a lethal spell one day and then leaking runs the next. Sears has electric pace, but will that be enough against quality batters who love taking on short balls?

And if Matt Henry does break down? That leaves the Kiwi attack looking pretty raw in the face of top-tier batting lineups. Slips, nicks, or edges might dry up if Henry isn’t there to cause early inroads. On top of that, the lack of a proven death bowler means these young pacers will have to grow up in a hurry.

Conclusion

Despite these hurdles, you can never count out the Black Caps. They’ve made a habit of silencing doubters at ICC tournaments, often going deeper than many folks predict. 

The batting core is solid with Kane Williamson’s composure, Daryl Mitchell’s power and Tom Latham’s spin savvy giving them a well-rounded lineup. Santner’s cool leadership, plus his bowling guile, could bind it all together.

If New Zealand sort out their death bowling, find ways to take wickets in the middle overs without that wrist spinner, and fast-track the development of their young quicks, they might just be the dark horses nobody sees coming. 

After all, the Kiwis have made a career out of punching above their weight when the chips are down and no one would be surprised if they do it again in Champions Trophy 2025.