T20 World Cup 2022, Team Analysis- New Zealand
New Zealand (Source: Twitter)
With the biggest battle of T20I cricket, ICC World Cup 2022, knocking at the doors, all the teams are ready to lay their hands on the trophy. However, the contenders are looking to cover up all their bases before they take the field during the tournament.
New Zealand will play in the tournament in their neighbouring country, Australia. Although they have not managed to win their last tri-nation tournament in their home ground, the Kiwis have been in decent form this year.
New Zeland's squad for the tournament looks like:
Kane Williamson (c), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Lachlan Ferguson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Finn Allen.
A deeper dive into their squad will give us an idea of what we can expect from one of the most underrated teams in the game.
The Pillars
Batters
Conway and Phillips T20I record in 2022 (Source: One Cricket)
Devon Conway, Glen Phillips- Devon Conway has a brilliant record in the shortest format of the game. Conway will be the anchor for New Zealand in the tournament.
Phillips, on the other hand, has been in a brilliant touch in 2022. His ability to adjust his game as per the match situation will come in handy for New Zealand in crunch situations. Especially with Kane Williamson in an on-and-off form, a lot will depend on the shoulders of Phillips.
Bowlers
Boult and Southee 2022 bowling record
Tim Southee, Trent Boult- In the Australian pitches, a lot will depend on Tim Southee, and Trent Boult as per as the bowling of New Zealand is concerned.
Southee has been on brilliant form throughout the year with the ball in hand, while Boult's performance has been average. But come to the big stage, both a lot will depend on these two ace pacers.
All-Rounders
Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner- The Bracewell and Santner duo will play a significant role in the Kiwi bowling in the middle overs. It will be a bonus for them that both these players are competent with the bat in the lower middle order.
Surprise Package
Jimmy Neesham
Jimmy Neesham will play the role of the pace bowling all-rounder for the 'Men in Black'. As far as his batting form is concerned, Neesham has been in a great hitting form in the shortest format of the game.
Jimmy Neesham's performance in 2022 (Source: One Cricket)
If we talk about his bowling form, Neesham has been doing an average job with the ball in hand. But keeping in mind the pitches of Australia, Neesham might come in handy for Kane Williamson.
Concern
Handling pressure situations
New Zealand for long have been known to crumble under pressure. They have failed to cross the final hurdle in the last two World Cups (the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20I World Cup). Even in the recent tri-nation tournament, they faltered in the finals. So, even if they cross the primary hurdles, New Zealand must groom themselves to hold their nerves in crunch situations and pressure matches.
Challenges
Adaptability
New Zealand has played most of their matches on their home ground this year. The stadiums in their homeland are mostly grounds with pretty small dimensions, and it is relatively easy to clear the boundaries. So, the biggest challenge for the Kiwi batters will be to adapt to Australian grounds with much bigger dimensions and perform there.
Prediction
New Zealand's team composition looks balanced, but they have a few concerns to address. Even with some challenges, New Zeland's bowling might turn out help them in the tournament. They might surprise a lot of fans and end up playing the finals of the tournament.
Predicted XI
New Zeland's predicted XI (Source: One Cricket)
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Know the grounds of the tournament
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
