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Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, And Threats

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

New Zealand team ODI Series [Source: AP Photos]New Zealand team ODI Series [Source: AP Photos]

With the ICC Champions Trophy just a couple of days away, the teams are gearing up for some intense clash. Eight of the best teams in the cricketing fraternity will be competing for the coveted title.

New Zealand come into the tournament as one of the favourites. They have a well settled unit and have done well in the recently concluded ODI Tri-series in Pakistan. The Mitchell Santner-led side will start their journey in the opening game of the tournament against the hosts and defending champions, Pakistan on February 19. 

Before the tournament starts, we will look at the New Zealand team and analyse how strong they are for the team. 

New Zealand Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Batters: Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Will Young
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dayl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith
Bowlers: Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke

Strengths Of New Zealand Team For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

1. Solid Batters In The Top Order

ODI stats of New Zealand top-order batters [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]ODI stats of New Zealand top-order batters [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]

Inference: It is not yet clear whether New Zealand will go with Rachin Ravindra or Will Young as their opener. However, even if we consider either of the batters as their opener, the top order looks stable and consistent. The average of the top three batters range from around 40 to 50. This shows that the batters know how to score consistent runs. The strike rate also suggests that the top three of New Zealand can pace their innings and lay a strong foundation for the batters to come in the middle order.

2. Impactful Finishers

ODI stats of New Zealand finishers [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]ODI stats of New Zealand finishers [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]

Inference: Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips will form the backbone of the New Zealand batting line-up. If we look at the average and the strike rate of these three batters we can see that they could be very impactful and can cease the momentum of the game for the team from any stage. 

The stats suggest us that these three batters are consistent and impactful. Their scoring rate and the consistency with which they deliver impactful performances make them one of the biggest strengths of the team for the tournament.

Weaknesses Of New Zealand Team For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

1. Lack Of Depth In The Spin Department

Stats of New Zealand spinners in ODIs [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]Stats of New Zealand spinners in ODIs [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]

Inference: If we look at the numbers of the spinners of the New Zealand team for the Champions Trophy 2025, then we see that the bowlers seem to be less effective. Even their lead spinner, Mitchell Santner, has a strike rate of over 45 and an average of over 35. The spinners will be crucial for the teams in the subcontinent conditions, so the lack of depth in this department might be a weakness for the team during the tournament.

Opportunities For New Zealand Team In Champions Trophy 2025

1. Ending Their Jinx In Multi-national Tournaments

New Zealand won the World Test Championship in 2021. However, they have not done well in case of winning the title in limited overs multi-national tournament. Though they have found their way to the semis or final of the tournament they have failed to win the tournament. The Champions Trophy 2025 will be an opportunity for them to win the title and break the jinx.

Threats For New Zealand Team In Champions Trophy 2025

Kane Williamson is returning to the ODI scenario in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: AP Photos]Kane Williamson is returning to the ODI scenario in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: AP Photos]

1. Injury Prone Key Players

Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Devon Conway are key players for the New Zealand team. However, these players are a bit injury prone and the ruling out of any one of them during the tournament could be costly for the team. The absence of a key player during the campaign is big threat for the New Zealand team.

2. Confusion Around The Combinations

There have been plenty of shifts around the playing combination of the teams. With Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra missing a few games there is a confusion around the combination that the team will go with during the tournament. The team has not settled into a working combination and have not got enough game time as an unit. This could haunt the kiwis during the tournament.

Predictions For New Zealand In Champions Trophy 2025

New Zealand seem to have one of the strongest teams in the tournament. Adding to their strengths is the fact that the team has a good idea about the conditions they will be playing in. While their track record makes them an underdog, New Zealand have the potential to be one of the finalists in Champions Trophy 2025.