3 Reasons Why New Zealand Will be Eliminated in The Group Stage of World Cup 2023

New Zealand will be looking to repeat their performance from the last season of the World Cup (Source: Twitter)

New Zealand, not a rated R unit in the cricket fraternity but their performance in the last three World Cup editions will underrate 'rated R'. The baton of leadership passed from Daniel Vetorri to Brendon McCullum and then to Kane Williamson but one thing that never changed is the unpredictability of Kiwis. They could have been the World Champions in 2019 but sighs. We won't rewind back to the dark room. For now, it's about analysing the squad, and backing the statement- three reasons why New Zealand will be eliminated in the stage of World Cup 2023. So let us have a look. 

1.Poor subcontinent record

New Zealand don't have a great record playing in India and the subcontinent region. They lost the last three ODI bilateral series played in India. From the last 16 bilateral ODIs in India, the Kiwis could manage just three wins. The side was whitewashed 5-0 in 2010-11 and 3-0 in the 2022-23 edition. The numbers tell the story. In addition, they also failed to win bilateral ODI series in Bangladesh since 2010. This is one of the primary reasons why New Zealand might get outplayed on various circumstances during the blockbuster event starting next month.

2. Injury Concern and management

Injuries are something that an athlete can never avoid. The nightmare factor about injury is that it arrives unsaid and causes retardation in one's career. Such has been the case with the New Zealand cricket team. 

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson made an impressive comeback in early 2023 after monotonous elbow issues but incurred a setback in the IPL 2023 that threatened to rule him from the World Cup 2023. Williamson, when featured for the Gujarat Titans suffered an ACL tear and was ruled out of competition for the next few months. Luckily, he revived faster than expected and now, the 33-year-old is a part of the World Cup squad. However, it is reported that Williamson will be missing a couple of games initially. 

Moving on, New Zealand are also doubtful about the participation of Tim Southee in the tournament. The ace bowler was set to feature in his fourth World Cup alongside Williamson but fortune had other plans for Southee. The 34-year-old injured his thumb in the recently concluded England series and underwent surgery on Thursday i.e. September 21. His progress is under close observation and based on it a call would be made. 

Clearly, the Kiwis have withstood mighty bodyslams and are trying to stand up tall. Even Adam Milne was nursing injury and therefore failed to make the cut in the 15-man squad. But his four-wicket haul in a comeback match in the third ODI against Bangladesh presents Milne as a front-runner to substitute any unfit candidate.

3. Lack of game time for the skipper

Although Kane Williamson will be travelling to India and is likely to participate in majority of the games, lack of game time will be an issue for one-fourth of the Fab four. The Mount Maunganui-based cricketer last played a game in the first match of IPL against Chennai Super Kings where he did not bat. 

The last time when Williamson batted, it was in a Test match in March against Sri Lanka. The right-handed batter piled up 337 runs in the red-ball series and was adjudged the player of the series. But that was a different format. How well can he transpire to the ODI format? Moreover, he would be missing on warm-up games as well. Set to bat in an essential position as that of no. 3, tough questions loom around the  Kiwi skipper in the lead up to the Royal event.