For most long-suffering Black Caps supporters the only consistent part of the team has been their inconsistency.
With the World Cup just around the corner, however, the team is starting to form into a competitive and well-balanced unit. Their 3-2 series victory over an equally impressive Pakistan team has only helped heighten expectations.
The key for the Black Caps has been depth in the batting and bowling, something that hasn’t always been there. As a result the challenge for the selectors is unusual in that they only have 15 spots to fill, which means at least two or three players will be very unlucky to miss out.
In terms of the team and in particular the batting, the Black Caps have some truly world-class players.
With Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor ranked ninth and 11th respectively and Brendan McCullum who could be opening or batting at five, they have a very solid batting order. The biggest issue is outside these three, with Martin Guptill very inconsistent and Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham having lost their form.
Importantly, the lower order can also be expected to contribute, with Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum well known for closing out an innings.
The challenge for the selectors over the upcoming series against Sri Lanka is to settle on an opening batsman to join Guptill, either Brendan McCullum or one of Anton Devicich or Dean Brownlie. If McCullum goes to the top of the order they need to ensure the balance of the team isn’t adversely affected. As it stands now it looks like McCullum will open and Tom Latham will bat in the middle order.
On the bowling front the challenge is to select between Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Matt Henry and Kyle Mills. With Tim Southee and Trent Boult assured of selection – despite Boult only having played 10 ODI games – the next few games will decide who will miss out.
On balance it could be expected that three will be selected and each has pros and cons.
McClenaghan takes wickets but is expensive, Milne is fast but can go for plenty, Henry is promising but is inexperienced at the highest level, and Mills is consistent and proven, but he is turning 36 during the tournament and has struggled with injury.
In the most recent tour, Henry was probably the most impressive, collecting his first five-wicket bag and has just made the decision harder for selectors. The other aspect is that none of the four adds much with the bat, which can be important in a tight game, particularly with not wanting to have too long a tail.
The World Cup 15-man squad is scheduled to be announced in early January, so very little can be done between now and then, but it should be a highly competitive team.
Bobbo7
Guest
Agree re Williamson, will be a top 3 bat in the world if he is not already
djos77
Roar Rookie
I definitely have NZ in my top 4 and they have some really impressive depth this time around. They are in the best shape they have been since the 2007 cup and this is their best chance ever to win the tournament. Major strengths I see are 3 world class batsmen in Williamson (who I think will end up as NZ's greatest ever batsman), Taylor and McCullum, Anderson if fit and firing, Ronchi in the lower order and the pace depth. Weaknesses are opening - Guptill uses up a lot of balls early and this can hurt the team if he doesn't then make a ton, and he is Dale Steyn's bunny from a test series in SA last year - free wicket if the two teams play in a semi or final. Forget about Ryder too, the guy has had numerous chances and if he made the 15 and not the 11 no prizes for guessing where you would find him the night before the game. Only other concern is spin...N McCullum contains but doesn't get people out..Vettori is still a master and looks fitter than 12 months ago where he limped his way through the BBL but if he was to get injured again it would be a big blow.
Bobbo7
Guest
Good article. NZ have a good side. In the absence of Ryder or another like him I think McCulum should open. I would have Grant Elliot at 6 and put Ronchi in at 5. Elliot had been pretty steady for NZ and he can bowl. If Guptill, Anderson or Neesham find some form NZ will take some beating at the WC. With the bowlers, Mills is a certainty. I would use Southee and Boult though McCleneghan has a knack of taking wickets. Spinner is a tough call. Vettori and N. McCullum are good options and offer a bit with the bat. This team should make the semi, from there anyone can win
Bobbo7
Guest
It was their first cricket in a while with two best bats out. Take Amla and Deviliiers out of SA and they are half the team. That series does not mean much. NZ are much better than that
Bobbo7
Guest
Ryder would have made a big difference
Targa
Guest
They didn't have Taylor and Williamson against South Africa - two players who have averaged 60+ in ODIs in the last 12 months
rishabh
Guest
Its sad that Ryder is not going to happen....He could have given New Zealand an x factor and maybe that last push for a spot in finals....I really want to see NZ doing good....
Nudge
Guest
They will struggle. Got smashed by RSA a couple of months ago in New Zealand then Australia smashed RSA with half a team
ajay
Guest
latham(can create inning) guptill kane taylor brendon anderson ronchi n.McCullum mills henry(he will be the leading wicket taker in tournamentif not he willl finsh in top3 for sure) milne
Clark
Guest
Hesson and McCullum wanted to get him back in, but Ryder didn't want to meet them half way and wasn't committed to the cause
rishabh
Guest
If only they had selected Ryder or Ryder was prepared for comeback, whatever may be the case....