ICC World Cup 2019
Part-4 Will Kiwi's lift the Trophy?
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The Blackcaps were considered as one of the teams who can lift the ICC World Cup 2019 at England & Whales. Its not only the talk of cricket experts. Its also the prediction of all cricket fans. The squad under the captaincy of Kane Williamson is in good form in the last four years.
Last world cup they missed just because of unexperience at world cup finals. Apart from that finals they played too good in all the league matches, quarter finals and even in semi against the strongest South Africa. This year also they have such kind of strong team but there is a big difference and a million dollar question. Will NZ achieve the same as 2015 without Brendon Mccullum????
Brendon Mccullum not only as a wicket keeper he is one of the most dangerous opening batsman in the world. In 2015 he gives many dangerous opening partnership with Martin Guptil. More than that Mccullum is one of the best fielder in the world. So its impossible for Kiwis to replace with just one guy for keeping alone. Lets discuss about the strength and weakness of New Zealand world cup XI and their best squad for play.
The Run Machines:
One more time we are repeating there is no replacement for Mccullum. Still blackcaps dont have any problem in opening pair. They have Colin Munro in the place of Brendon. Munro is also a big hitter in short format games. But he has to remember that this is world cup. Martin Guptil is the first and only New zealand cricketer to achieve double century in ODI games so far. That feet he achieved at last world cup only. This year also we cane expect such kind of batting from him. So its Colin Munro's responsibility to play big shots at powerplay itself and have to increase the runrate. If both score 120 plus runs in 20 over with no loss, then their skipper Kane Williamson will build the innings at middle overs. They have one more opening option Tom latham a good batsman to pair with Guptil. If Kane wants destructive opening he can choose Munro or else Latham is best. In the ongoing IPL tournament Munro's performance is not upto mark. So maximum chances are there for Latham will open with Guptil.
Kane Williamson, nothing is there from our side to describe him. He is the current generation best batsman along with Virat Kohli. Kohli may be the king of ODI chase. But Kane Williamson performing consistently in all format games. Whether it may be first batting or second, Test or T20, this man is there for New zealand to save their team. Except this guy no other will be the perfect option for No 3 position. Last world cup NZ completely depending on top 3 batsmen. But this year New Zealand having the strongest batsman at no 4 in the world. Its none other than the veteran kiwi hitter Ross Taylor. He is in beast mode for the last two years. Scoring centuries and half centuries consecutively against all teams. He can able to build innings as well as turn himself into a hitter mode at death overs. If Taylor is there at death overs other team bowlers should bowl with care.
Man behind Stumps:
After the retirement of Brendon Mccullum, New Zealand searched for a best wicket keeping batsman. They tried many players just last year only they found a guy named Tim Seifert for that position. He is good player in T20 cricket but not sure in ODI's. But no other option is there so everyone will expect he will come in world cup squad. But the selection committee has other ideas. They picked a guy named Tom Blundell as a wicket keeper batsman for New Zealand team. This was a quite surprise for everyone. Biggest surprise is this guy not yet played even a single ODI for the team. But played in 2 tests and scored a century also. Blundell has to prove him in worldcup practice and league matches then only he will continue in the team. Will see what the inexperienced Blundell will going to do at worldcup. If Kane decided to use this guy as a spare wicket keeper. Then he can use the opener Tom Latham also as a regular keeper.
Followers of Hadlee and Cairns:
New Zealand produced many all rounders but Richard Hadlee and Chris Cairns were the best. In current squad they have two special all rounders one is Colin De Grandhome and another guy is Jimmy Neesham. I hope both will be in the playing XI. If keeping both of them in the squad Newzea will get extra bowling option as well as no need to worry about death over batting. They were the followers of the great all rounders. Kane having one more option he can use Henry Nicholas also in the squad. If Nichollas in XI then he can use him as spin all rounder along with a regular spinner and three speeds in XI. Undoubtedly Kiwi's having the best middle order now its sufficient to finish the innings. Till now seven positions filled. Still 4 more.
Spinners:
Daniel Vettori is the favourite player for many new zealand fans. He is one of the best spinner cum a good batsman when the team needs. After him now blackcaps have only two spinners in the squad Ish Sodhi and Mitchel Santner. In England the requirement for spinners were very less. So only one from them will get the chance to play. Sometime based on pitch both can play. Santner is a Spin all rounder he can bat well also. He is a left arm off spinner. Sodhi is a right arm leg spinner but not having that much batting capability. Mostly Kane will prefer Mitchel Santner to strengthen their tail batting. Ish Sodhi may play few games based on the opponent.
Speeds:
Blackcaps were retain the same bowling attack as they used in last world cup. Tim Southee and Trent boult. Both were in good form when they play for their country. Both will play for sure. For the third bowling option alone they have 2 option Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson. In that they will pick Lockie Ferguson as third bowling option. He can bowl at 140+ kmph speed which will be helpful at England pitch. If Kane decided to go with two spinners in a match then Ferguson wont be in XI. Only Boult and Southee as bowlers and Grandhomme and Neesham as bowling allrounders.
Best XI for play:
1. Martin Guptil
2. Tom Latham (wk)
3. Kane Williamson (C)
4. Ross Taylor
5. Henry Nicholas
6. Colin Grandhomme
7. Jimmy Neesham
8. Mitchel Santner
9. Tim Southee
10. Trent Boult
11. Lockie Ferguson / Mark Wood
When coming to the captaincy of Kane Williamson. He is the best captain cum batsman. Taking decision in correct time and he was very good in rotating bowlers in breaking a partnership. Nothing should try new from his side. But he should make his strategy strong in picking squad against opponent. That is the only challenge in front of Kane Williamson. Hope this guy can get worldcup for New Zealand and quench the thirst of the small island fans.
nice post with blog
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