ICC World Cup 2019 | New Zealand's predicted XI for game against India
New Zealand might have a perfect record so far but it has come with an Asterisk due to the level of opponents. Now, as they get ready to take on an Indian side that has just lost Shikhar Dhawan, the Kiwis will want to prove their doubters wrong and take a big step towards making the final four.
Openers
Martin Guptill : After a quickfire 73* against Sri Lanka, the hard-hitting opener has slowed down with scores of 25 and 0. The Kiwis have chased in all the games so far which would mean we are yet to see the kind of damage he can do when a target needs to be set.
Henry Nicholls : It’s not that Colin Munro hasn’t done a decent job at the top of the order, the Kiwis might want someone who can hold one end while Guptill plays the role of the aggressor. Against a brutal Indian bowling lineup, the Kiwis might want to protect their middle order considering the overcast conditions that Trent Bridge promises.
Middle-order
Kane Williamson (C) : The Kiwi skipper is another one of those players who just keeps on delivering. His patient 40 against Bangladesh was bettered by his unbeaten 79 against Afghanistan. But with a loaded Indian bowling attack on display, he will have to be on the top of his game and not take too many risks while running between the wickets which has been a problem in recent matches.
Ross Taylor : After a down year in 2016, Ross Taylor has turned into a run-making machine freight train that cannot be stopped. He averaged a massive 91.28 in 2018 and is already scoring at a rate of 72.3 per game so far this year. His record against India might not be spectacular (41.37) his World Cup so far surely has been.
Tom Latham (WK) : He has been the only man in the New Zealand lineup who has been quiet so far. But don’t be surprised if he turns on the style today against India, against whom he has an incredible average of 58.30 in 12 innings.
All-rounders
James Neesham : Unluckily for the Twitteratti, New Zealand decided to pick Neesham in the World Cup squad and robbed the Twitter faithful of some world class humour during the mega event. Luckily for New Zealand though, Neesham was the man to destroy Afghanistan with a fifer in the last game. Can’t be dropped after that!
Colin de Grandhomme : Seeing him bowl for New Zealand must be a frustrating sight for any RCB fan. Not only has he picked up three wickets in three games but he has an economy of just 4.78. Tim Southee might be a better death over bowler but New Zealand will have to bat deep if they want any success against India today.
Spinner
Mitchell Santner : Hasn’t had to do too much so far with the pacers carrying a majority of the workload. Santner has never been a wicket taker for the Kiwis but his economy is right up there with the best in the world. In the 12 overs he has been handed the ball in the World Cup, Santner has conceded at just 3.8 runs per over.
Pacers
Matt Henry : While Boult came into the tournament as the prime wicket taker in the side, Henry has been able to outshine his more famous teammate. With seven wickets in three games, he has been able to keep Southee restricted to the bench.
Lockie Ferguson : The Auckland man has had a great couple of years in ODI cricket. While many would have written him off after his performance for KKR, the Kiwis showed faith in him by starting him in every game. And who wouldn’t! When there seems to be a dearth of genuine fast bowlers in World Cricket, he is a welcome sight for sore eyes.
Trent Boult : While most fans would love their premier pacer to have an economy of just 4.2 and three wickets to his name in three World Cup game, I am pretty sure the Kiwis would expect more from him. He will need to be on top of his game against the Indians, particularly in the death.
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