Team Analysis for the Women's T20I World Cup 2023: New Zealand 

image-ldwzssmnNew Zealand in action (Source: Twitter/@AllOverCric)

As the trumpet is about to be blown in South Africa, announcing the commencement of the Women's T20 World Cup 2023, it is time to walk through the squads of every team.

With the turn now for New Zealand's parsing, let us analyse what to expect from Sophie Devine and Co. in the tournament that has their campaign starting from February 11 against the defending champions Australia.

History 

New Zealand reached its heyday in the 2009 and 2010 editions of the T20 World Cup, ending up as the runners-up in the competition. However, the side has failed to progress beyond the group stage in the last two editions of the tournament.


New Zealand's T20I World Cup squad 

Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Batters: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Maddy Green, Lauren Down

Bowlers: Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, Hayley Jensen, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold 

All-rounders: Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, 

Wicket-keeper: Bernadine Bezuidenhout 


Strengths 

New Zealand's redoubtable bowling armoury is not to be taken lightly. Fran Jonas, Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr join together to form a potent spin-bowling group. At the same time, Molly Penfold, Sophie Devine, Hayley Jensen and Lea Tahuhu can take any opponent down with their swing and pace.

Weakness 

Having a vulnerable batting line-up with no. Three and no. 6 being the bone of contention brings New Zealand into a quandary. 

Considering Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green fill up the no. 4 and no. 5 spots, The White Ferns will have to choose between Lauren Down, Brooke Halliday, and Georgia Plimmer for the rest of the main batting positions. They can get caught up between a rock and a hard place.

Opportunities 

As seen in New Zealand's last T20I series, Amelia Kerr is on the path to achieving greatness. With the World Cup coming, it cannot be a better stage than that for the all-rounder to make giant strides towards eminence.

Threats 

New Zealand are placed in the group consisting of Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It will be a make-or-break situation for them as they go up against the current title holders and the hosts in their first two games in the tournament.

Prediction 

For New Zealand to make the semis, they would have to defeat either Australia or South Africa. Even though the Proteas are the hosts, I see Devine's women getting the best of them and entering the knockouts.