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Searching for New Zealand's weaknesses

24th February, 2015
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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is one of the best batters in the world. (AFP PHOTO / MARTY MELVILLE)
Expert
24th February, 2015
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New Zealand’s recent form has been so imperious they have not revealed any chinks in their armour. But they have pressure points, just like every other side.

We know South Africa have a dearth of all-round options and clam up when chasing scores of more than 250, as I wrote recently for The Roar.

This much was evident as they floundered chasing a 300-plus score against India on Sunday with Wayne Parnell forced to play as an all-rounder at seven despite his limited batting ability.

We know India have a powerful top six but not one world-class bowler. We know Australia have had issues with both their middle order and the uncertainty surrounding who should skipper the side.

So, what then, are New Zealand’s weaknesses? Their strengths are well known and already have been showcased in grand fashion during this World Cup.

There’s the ballistic striking of Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi.

Complementing them is the more cultured batsmanship of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. With the ball, Tim Southee and Trent Boult gain consistent and lethal swing and are capable of scything through top orders.

Southee’s phenomenal seven-wicket effort against England underlined the threat posed by New Zealand’s swing bowlers.

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Stats show that New Zealand’s new ball bowlers have also proved very thrifty in recent times giving up just 4.45 runs per over in the opening 10 overs (from the start of 2013 through to the beginning of this World Cup).

Of the ‘Big Eight’ teams, only South Africa’s bowlers have been more miserly in those first 10 overs.

However, although Southee and Bolt form a potent frontline attack, Australia will fancy their chances of compiling a mammoth total if they can get past the first 10 overs relatively unscathed.

Those aforementioned statistics also showed that, from overs 10 to 50, New Zealand’s bowlers were more expensive than any bar England. The Kiwi bowlers went for 5.9 runs per over on average during the last 40 overs of matches in that period.

Among the Big Eight, only England again (8.02 runs per over) gave up more runs than the Kiwis (7.62) in the final 10 overs of innings.

Australia’s deep batting line-up has made a habit of butchering attacks in the late overs. This may be where they can hurt the Kiwis.

Of course, Boult and Southee form a terrific attack together with the wily spin of Dan Vettori, the 150kmh rockets of Adam Milne, and the clever left arm variety offered by all-rounder Anderson.

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But we’re looking for holes in their game here folks and this is the best I could muster.

On the batting front, New Zealand again have few obvious weaknesses. While the long-hitting heroics of McCullum, Anderson and Ronchi often steal the headlines, it is Williamson who is New Zealand’s most important batsman.

A consistent and composed number three, he often forms the backbone of their innings, allowing their more dynamic strikers greater freedom to unleash.

Australia’s most likely avenue to disrupting the commanding run of the Kiwis’ batting line-up is through out-of-touch opener Martin Guptill.

Guptill is the only member of New Zealand’s top seven who is labouring. In Mitchell Starc and Mitch Johnson Australia have two bowlers unlike any Williamson has faced in his career.

Left-arm bowlers who can swing the ball back into you at up to 150kmh are a genuine rarity. Australia will hope they can knock over Guptill early and get a crack at Williamson while the two new balls are still hooping for their potent quicks.

If they can’t do this, and Williamson is allowed to anchor New Zealand’s innings, the Kiwis may well run amok.

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New Zealand have weaknesses, alright, but they aren’t the gaping holes sported by most other sides.

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