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New Zealand is currently facing India in a 5-match ODI series which will be followed by a 3-match T20I series. This will certainly be a good test for them ahead of the World Cup. They have a lot of chances of winning the World Cup this time around and will be top contenders.
The return of Martin Guptill and Mitchell Santner from injury will certainly boost the team before the World Cup. They had a good year in terms of ODIs and Tests and narrowly missed out on a series win against England while managing to beat Pakistan and Sri Lanka. After India's series, Bangladesh will tour New Zealand before the IPL and there won't be any ODI match practice for them after that before the World Cup.
They came very close to getting their maiden World Cup title in 2015 but faltered at the final hurdle. The current team is no less than the 2015 team which boasted of a plethora of stars like Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, who have since retired.
Let's take a look at the strongest playing XI which New Zealand can field in the World Cup.
Openers- Martin Guptill and Colin Munro
The opening pair of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will be the best for the World Cup. They have combined well and needless chopping and changing will affect the great chemistry the side possesses. Guptill rightfully earns his place in this team due to his current form and his great records in ICC Tournaments, especially the World Cup. He was brilliant to watch in the last World Cup and though he has grown older, the ability to devastate the opponents still remains.
Colin Munro will be the wildcard in this play but most cricketing fans know of his destructive ability. Though he is more of a T20 player, Munro has adapted fairly well to ODI cricket. If he can somehow play out the probing opening spells in England where the ball will swing a lot, Munro who is a good player of spin can easily dominate the spinners, for some the surfaces in England will not assist spinners too much.
Middle Order- Kane Williamson (Captain), Ross Taylor, and Henry Nicholls
New Zealand's middle order is one of the best in the business currently and more credit should be given to skipper Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor. The two batsmen batting at number 3 and number 4 respectively have dominated the middle order playing sheet anchor roles allowing the runs to flow around them.
Taylor, in particular had a brilliant 2018 and continued his great run of games against Sri Lanka as well.
Williamson has been classy, calm and in complete control of the game whenever he has come out to bat. He lends a very positive and confident presence on the field and that makes this New Zealand side look all the more daunting.
Henry Nicholls is a very talented player and is expected to continue batting in the middle. Though he prefers to bat higher up, Nicholls might have to settle for number 5 or even number 6 owing to the presence of Tom Latham. He doesn't have a big score to show for it but Nicholls can really change the outcome of matches.
Wicket Keeper and All Rounder- Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham
Tom Latham replaced Tim Seifert in New Zealand's playing XI against India and his selection raised many questions as to why he wasn't picked earlier. Tim Seifert, his predecessor had a paltry time behind the stumps and was not impressive with the bat either.
Latham, despite being more of a reserve wicketkeeper has enough skills and experience to manage the glove work and on top of that, he is an excellent batsman. He has a good ODI record but was kept out of the ODI side for a fair amount of time. The way he batted when he carried the bat with a score of 264 against Sri Lanka is a testimony to his solidity.
Jimmy Neesham's return to the ODI side wasn't good news for Sri Lanka as he smashed 5 sixes in an over en-route to a 13-ball 47. He was good with the ball too and carried this form until the end of the series and made the New Zealand side look even stronger.
He, unfortunately, contracted a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the T20 against Sri Lanka and the first 3 ODIs against India.
He is expected to make a return to the ODI side and if he does, New Zealand must go with him as this extends the batting line-up without robbing it of bowling options.
Spinner- Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner should be New Zealand's first choice spinner and Ish Sodhi must be used only if needed desperately. This is because the surfaces in England suit finger spinners more and the ball won't turn much for Sodhi. The added fact that Santner is a very capable batsman further weakens Sodhi's case for selection.
Santner's addition provides more than enough batting depth to the side and allows them to accommodate their star pace bowling trio. Santner can rescue them out of tough situations with the bat and can even score valuable runs in the death while picking up a couple of wickets bowling very economically. He can bat deep and bowls well enough to be the complete package and he will be New Zealand's X-Factor in the World Cup.
Pacers- Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Trent Boult
The New Zealand pace trio has tasted enormous success ever since they got together. Lockie Ferguson has been a real menace and has really troubled the batsman with his express pace. On England surfaces, his pace can do wonders for the side.
As for the other two, not much is left to say. Tim Southee and Trent Boult were of paramount importance to their performance in the last World Cup and this time around, they have become even more important.
They have formed a lethal partnership and Southee swings it around a lot with the new ball, something which the conditions will favor. Boult, on the other hand picks a line on the stumps and sticks to it but suddenly brings one back in or sends one out and this catches the batsman napping.
Both of them will be instrumental to their success and all in all, New Zealand has a very talented and balanced side which has what it takes to lift the World Cup.
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