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New Zealand are becoming one of the most talked about sides in the lead-up to the the Cricket World Cup.
Australia and New Zealand are joint hosts of the tournament, however New Zealand are being backed heavily by punters around the globe, with many believing they provide good value at a chance of World Cup glory.
Despite sitting sixth on the ICC ODI rankings, the home conditions are expected to allow for New Zealand to reach the quarter-finals with ease. But are New Zealand really that good?
In the previous two World Cups (2011 and 2007) New Zealand reached the semi-final, only to be undone by Sri Lanka on both occasions, with the Kiwi top-order struggling against the Sri Lankan spinners.
New Zealand play all their group matches as well as the quarter-final (should they make it) in their home country. Conditions that cater for swing and the greener pitches will suit the New Zealand attack, which is likely to consist of both left and right-arm swing bowlers, not to mention the experienced Daniel Vettori whose crafty off-spinners will provide some difficulty for opposition sides.
A good mix of genuine bowlers and allrounders such as Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson will allow for New Zealand to lock down sides known to score large totals, such as Australia and Sri Lanka.
Australia have to fly to New Zealand, which may provide the Kiwis their first chance to beat Australia at a World Cup since 1999. Trent Boult and Tim Southee with the new ball will be a handful for most sides, with Boult having the ability to bring the ball back into right handers, enabling him to produce unplayable in-swingers. He will likely hit the pads more than once during the World Cup.
On the batting front, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has the ability to change a game in an hour. His destructive batting in the top order will catapult New Zealand’s scores towards the 300 mark if he is able to get going. Add in Williamson and Ross Taylor and the top order will score freely.
New Zealand will be causing some headaches come February.
Likely XI
Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult
So Roarers, how far can New Zealand go?
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