Ranking the 5 Best ODI batting line-ups in the world

#4 New Zealand

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - 2nd T20

New Zealand, last World Cup’s runners-up, boast of a belligerent top order. However, it is their middle and lower order that is the biggest concern ten months from the show-piece event.

The opening pair of Munro and Guptill is ultra-attacking in nature. The right-left pair do not allow the bowlers a moment of peace and are always ready to capitalize on the bowlers’ errors. On many an occasion, New Zealand’s openers have set the game up with their destructive batting.

However, the most important cog in their batting wheel is Kane Williamson. At #3, Williamson controls the game and bats till the end, shifting gears according to the game’s requirements. With a top three of Guptill, Munro and Williamson, New Zealand would fancy their chances of overhauling any target and setting improbable totals.

The problem area for them, is the #5 and #6 slot. Chapman and Nicholls haven’t set the world on fire yet. In addition to this, Santner and De Grandhomme have not been consistent enough on the international stage.

If they harbor any hopes of going one better than 2015, they need to get their middle-order firing at optimum capacity.

New Zealand would have been higher on the list if not for the problems plaguing their middle order. It is due to the ‘middle muddle’ that they find themselves in fourth place.