Analysing New Zealand T20 World Cup 2021 Squad

New Zealand's T20 World Cup 2021 Squad      

New Zealand a fast-emerging team in the cricket world. After the big three, it is New Zealand who has been dominating internationally. It is the best test and ODI team of the world and is placed third in the T20 format. The captain Kane Williamson has led by example. To say the least, New Zealand has pulled off many miracles and will be strong contenders for the title this year, if not favorites.

Let us analyse what part every player performs in the squad.

Kane Williamson

The captain of the team, Kane Williamson, is not one of the greatest in this format but has proved his mettle by playing according to situations. He is a very versatile player and can play in any of the top 4 slots for his team. The right-handed batter is currently 36th in the batting rankings but the world cup will be his chance to prove that he is undermined. His excellent leadership skills and ability to make wise decisions has also come of good use (except for the night when Rohit hit two sixes off the last two balls off Tim Southee 😂).

Todd Astle     

Todd Astle is a name new to many. He has not been regular in the team. The bowling allrounder's major part of his career with the national team was obstructed by injury in 2017-19 although he played domestic games and for New Zealand A as well. It will be unfair to define him on the basis of rankings as he has not got chances. He was impressive in the matches he played but injury woes disallowed him from securing his spot as a legspinner who could also bat when needed. The T20 World Cup will be an opportunity for him to show that he still has some cricket left in him.

Trent Boult

The left arm bowler, Trent Boult, has been the mainstay of the bowling attack of the black caps for quite some time now. He can extract a lot of swing which provides to the team an option to start with the ball and finish in very challenging situations where other bowlers failed to deliver (Here is a solid example although they lost in the super over). His experience also help him save crucial runs towards the death. A good fielder also, he is. This clears all doubts and justifies his obvious position in the starting 11.

Devon Conway

Devon Conway is the name ever New Zealand cricket fan has on the fingertips. He is one of the best youngsters of the world. With a stunning average of 59.1 and a strike rate of over 150, the left-handed opener is currently placed 3rd in the ICC rankings. He has played many swashbuckling knocks and New Zealand are lucky they have a strong backup for Guptill. The wicketkeeper-batter is in some good form and Conway will also be looking to cement his place in the side as a permanent opener.

Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman is also a name many would not have heard but this is because he is rather young. The 27-year old left-handed batter has not been as effective in international cricket as he needed to be for the starting 11. However, his domestic career has formed for him a certain case to replace players in the middle order if they do not perform. He has a strong record for Hong Kong internationally. The part-time bowler has also picked 4 wickets in his career.

Lockie Ferguson

Ferguson has been a rising star for New Zealand. The 30-year old right-arm pacer recently took a hat trick in Vitality T20 Blast and is having a very good time wherever he is going. Apart from Trent Boult, he is going to be the other death bowler whose ability to bowl speedy and accurate yorkers will come of good use against players like Rohit Sharma and David Warner who are good on the back foot. He will be looking forward to a good season with KKR in the second leg of IPL to confirm his place in the starting 11.

Martin Guptill

As a very destructive opener, Martin Guptill has been a very reliable person in the New Zealand team. The 34-year old right-handed batter is able to get a start to his team and play long innings at a high strike rate as well. With a commendable average of about 32, he has displayed his skills and proved his worth in international cricket as well as 3the IPL. He will be the first-choice opener for the team and his ability to play pace well will help his cause as he will be able to counter the initial swing.

Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson is also one of the many players who are making their mark in international cricket. Apart from winning games for his IPL franchise RCB, the 26-year old right arm fast medium bowler  is also benefitted by his very good height (even though that means he cannot bowl bouncers to batters like David Warner and Glenn Maxwell😤).  He has displayed some good cricket with accurate line and length and consistency. In addition to this, his batting is a positive for the team. He can get a few runs on the board in the death overs and play cameos to finish games as has been spotted in domestic seasons. 

Daryl Mitchell

Originally a middle order batter, the right-hand New Zealander has grown since his debut in domestic cricket. With his bowling skills sharpening, he has come to be known as a batting allrounder who can also bowl as a seamer. The 30 year old Moose, as they call him can contribute in the team as a finisher which is a critical role in the T20 format of the game. When bowlers are getting smashed continually, he can help cut down runs and take crucial wickets as is evident from his domestic games. With an ideal strike rate of 137, he can play destructive cricket on his day and it will be interesting to see if he is included in the starting 11 to add balance to the team.

Jimmy Neesham

The veteran allrounder, Jimmy Neesham was also a part of the playing 11 in the ODI World Cup final. He is also a left-handed middle order batsman and bowls right arm fast medium. The 30 year old plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL where he is yet to prove himself but he has done a lot to strengthen his case in the starting 11. With a rollicking strike rate of 157.3, he is especially good against pacers. He would be looking to contribute in this world cup resembling his performance of the 2019 WC.

Glenn Phillips

The 24-year old is another rising star ready to combat in one of the most prestigious tournaments of cricket. The right-handed top order batter is the latest threat to greats like Martin Guptill as he comes into the team after unbelievable performances in domestic cricket. Recently signed by RR as a replacement of Jos Buttler, he is a destructive opener as was seen in the last match he played in The Hundred where he scored 60 odd runs at a strike rate of more than 200. His fearless approach mixed with his ability to take calculated risks puts him in contention for the starting 11 and the black caps would be wanting to experiment with him in the middle order as they have only 1 quality middle order player in Jimmy Neesham and New Zealand will be ready to bank on his services in the 5th or 6th slot as well.

Mitchell Santner

The 29-year old Mitchell Santner bowls left-arm orthodox and can bat for his team. He has the ability to play in pressure and has finished matches for both, CSK and New Zealand. His death bowling has also improved and his knack of taking wickets adds to his advantage of being an excellent fielder. With a low economy of around 7 and 2 four wicket hauls, he might have the edge over Todd Astle. The allrounder, who is placed 11th in the ICC rankings, has come under light by winning a game for CSK in the IPL by hitting a last-ball six (so, the team was naturally led by MS Dhoni). 

Tim Seifert

The right-handed batter and probably the first choice wicketkeeper in the team, Tim Seifert has a healthy, if not good, strike rate of 134, which can prompt the selectors to involve him in the team in place of players like Daryl Mitchell. The 26-year old has proved himself time and again and has achieved a respectable highest score of 84*, keeping in mind, the fact that he mostly bats in the middle order or the lower order. It will be a good chance for the 22nd ranked batter to display that numbers don't describe his cause. 

Ish Sodhi

The 28-year old right arm leg spinner has been very crucial for the island nation in the near history. His batting prowess along with taking crucial wickets at the right time has made him a regular in the shortest format of the game as well as ODI's. With astonishing stats of 73 wickets from 57 balls and an average of 22, Sodhi has 2 four-fers which lands in his favour and, along with Mitchell Santner and Mark Chapman, he could be a star in making as there are spin-friendly conditions in UAE pitches.

Tim Southee

The Kiwi quick has been the pace spearhead for his team for a very long time. He is the leader of the threatening pace attack, that has haunted many team over the world. He has been a continuous performer and his outswinger has been his main weapon. He has recently developed the three-card trick which has come to use to deceive greats like Rohit Sharma. The 32-year old has a tempting 99 wickets from 83 matches and would be looking to take his 100th wicket in the first match itself. With a 5wicket-haul and 1 4 wicket haul, a fit Tim Southee is a sure to play in the starting 11 unless and until the Williamson and Gary Stead do not try a gamble.

Adam Milne

Adam Milne is probably the most unfortunate player in the squad. A player of his ability has not been able to prove himself due to a start-stop career owing to injuries. The right arm quick has taken 28 wickets from 23 matches but the economical bowler is one to watch out for due to his lethal skills in the middle overs and the duo of Neesham and Milne will be of help to the team due to their raw pace, something Hardik has been doing for India. It is unlikely that Milne will be a part of the starting 11 but given chances, he will be able to prove that his numbers speak not about him.

Probable Starting 11:

Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Seifert (WK), Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Disclaimer: All stats are according to T20i format based on data updated till 27/08/2021.