New Zealand Team Preview

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New Zealand Betting – T20 World Cup

The Black Caps have traditionally been a tough nut to crack in ODI World Cups over the decades thanks to their fighting spirit, togetherness as a team and the brilliance of individuals when it has mattered the most.

But in terms of T20, the Black Caps haven’t had things their own way and have failed to make the impact that other rival nations have made in this format, especially in the T20 World Cup.

They’ve had some game-changing players along the way like Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson but as of yet, haven’t gone all the way in the T20I arena.

However, a strong performance at the 2021 World Cup where they were beaten finalists, on the back of also making it to (and losing) the 2019 ODI World Cup, made lots of people sit up and take note.

They’re a side who’s always extremely hard to beat and maybe going through one of their best periods in the format.

Where to bet on New Zealand

Looking for online betting in India for the New Zealand games? Here are the best places to bet at!

Betway

The SAFEST Betting Site in the World!

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Parimatch

MOST POPULAR Indian Betting Site

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10CRIC

The BEST Betting Site in India!

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Best Odds for New Zealand to Win

Betway are offering the best odds of 8.5 about New Zealand winning the World T20, and it’s a price worth considering.

The best odds for New Zealand are a good reflection of the fact that this is a side that is always excellent in the field, generally has a good balance to the team (with at least two high-class all-rounders in their usual XI) and always boasts two or three players who would walk into any other World XI. We’ll come to those in a second.

One of the golden rules of online cricket betting is that New Zealand are always the dark horse ahead of any tournament and time and time again, they defy expectations and the odds to go much deeper than many would have thought.

The flip side is that they’ve now made the final of the last two ODI World Cups and the last T20 world Cup and they lost all three.

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New Zealand’s Performance in 2021

Things didn’t get off to a good start last year, the Black Caps posting a sub-par score of 134 in their first match, easily chased by Pakistan.

One more mistake and they were almost certainly out.

But in a must-win match against India, they bowled beautifully, India were too passive with the bat and a chase of just 111 ended up being as straightforward as it looked.

And they followed up that excellent win with three more in a row.

First up was a run-of-the-mill victory over Scotland, then they were too good for Namibia and in a tough test, got the better of Afghanistan, chasing 125 with the minimum of fuss.

They were then up against the highly-fancied England in the semis. The key moment in the game was that New Zealand won the toss so fielded first, a huge boost like it had been all tournament.

But England’s 166/4 looked competitive and New Zealand were in trouble with key men Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson both dismissed cheaply.

But Daryl Mitchell accelerated at just the right time and finished unbeaten on 72, with good support from Devon Conwy and a nice cameo of 27 off 18 from James Neesham.

And with that, they were in their first-ever T20 World Cup final.

New Zealand batted first against Australia and their 172/4 wasn’t a total to be sniffed at, thanks to a brilliant knock from skipper Kane Williamson, who scored 85 off 48, including some big sixes late on.

But as had been the story of the whole tournament, chasing was far easier than batting first.

Aussie skipper Aaron Finch was out cheaply but a 50 from David Warner got Australia on their way and a faultless knock from Mitch Marsh of 77 not out, helped in the latter stages by some clean hitting from Glenn Maxwell.

And with that, New Zealand had blown their chance of a first T20 World Cup.

New Zealand’s Performance in 2016

The Black Caps were brilliant in the Group Stages, winning three out of three in terms of their Group Stage matches which included a shock win over hosts India in the opening match of the tournament. In a low-scoring contest, New Zealand defended 126/7 pretty easily, Mitchell Santner bowling beautifully in taking 4/11.

They then beat Australia in another low-scoring game and then set Pakistan 181 to win in the last match, a total they never came close to chasing.

But they had a poor day at the office against England in the semis. They only managed 153/8 with Colin Munro the only one getting going with a well-measured 46 off 32. In reply Jason Roy got England off to a good start and it was easy from thereon for Eoin Morgan’s side, who famously went on to lose in the final against the Windies.

Santner and Ish Sodhi were two of the stand-out performers, each taking 10 wickets in just five games.

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Information bubble to represent facts about the New Zealand World Cup team

New Zealand facts

Let’s look at some interesting trivia about this New Zealand side.

  • New Zealand are currently ranked fifth in the T20I rankings.
  • Other than Devon Conway (ranked seventh for best T20I batsman) New Zealand don’t have any other players in the ICC Top 10 rankings for best batsman, bowler or all-rounder.
  • Martin Guptill is the third highest runscorer in the history of T20I with 3494 runs, from 121 matches; only Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have more.
  • The now-retired Brendon McCullum has both of NZ’s top individual scores: 123 against Bangladesh and 116 against Australia.
  • Colin Munro, now no longer part of new Zealand’s set-up, is the only Kiwi player with three international T20I centuries.
  • Tim Southee is one of only four players with over 100 T20I wickets; his current tally of 114 put him in third for most T20I wickets.

New Zealand’s Squad

Name Role
Kane Williamson (c) Batsman
Mark Chapman Batsman
Martin Guptill Batsman
Devon Conway (wk) Batsman / Wicketkeeper
Glenn Phillips Batsman / Wicketkeeper
Finn Allen Wicketkeeper
Michael Bracewell All Rounder
Daryl Mitchell All Rounder
James Neesham All Rounder
Mitchell Santner All Rounder
Trent Boult Bowler
Lockie Ferguson Bowler
Adam Milne Bowler
Ish Sodhi Bowler
Tim Southee Bowler

New Zealand World Cup Squad Talking Points

With the exception of the inclusion of Finn Allen, the squad is very similar to the one they took to the UAE last year.

In fact, the inclusion of Allen in the side might just be about the only change they make from the side who lost the final to Australia.

That is, unless they decide to play Michael Bracewell, who’s had an extremely impressive start to his international T20I career, averaging over a wicket a game and going at less than six an over from his eight T20I matches so far.

He’s also a very capable batsman, so they may decide to play him alongside fellow spinner Mitchell Santner, with Ish Sodhi possibly missing out.

The rest of the team pretty much picks itself, although Williamson’s ongoing fitness issues as a result of his elbow troubles are a concern.

Crown to represent the Captain of the New Zealand Team

Captain: Kane Williamson

In many ways Williamson isn’t so much the captain of New Zealand as he is New Zealand.

In addition to being the team’s most important batsman, he’s also the man who sets the tone and determines the way New Zealand want to play. Hard, attacking, aggressive cricket but always with fairplay and respect for the game and their opponents.

Williamson has often been seen as a player not especially suited to T20 cricket as he’s not a big-hitter but his record paints a different picture.

His strike rate is a respectable 123 in T20Is and he averages 32; he’s scored 14 fifties in T20Is and 41 in domestic T20s, including a century.

His captaincy skills are much admired and he led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to an IPL final when regular skipper David Warner was suspended.

There is however an ongoing concern that his troublesome elbow may increasingly keep him out of matches, as has happened a fair few times over the last two years.

New Zealand will certainly hope that isn’t the case because they’re just not the same side without him.

He played a blinding innings in defeat in last year’s World Cup final with an uncharacteristically aggressive 85 off 48.

Trophy to represent the Gun player for the New Zealand 2021 team

Key Player: Trent Boult

Like Williamson, some may point out that T20 cricket isn’t necessarily Boult’s strong suit and that he’s at his best in the longer formats where it’s his consistency and accuracy over longer periods that makes him the bowler he is.

But there’s always room for a world-class left-arm quick who can bend the ball, in any format.

The Mumbai Indians in the IPL certainly agree.

Very often over the past few seasons he was the only overseas bowler in their line-up and was a big part of their recent success, often tasked with bowling those tricky death overs.

When he moved to Rajasthan in the 2022 IPL, his level certainly didn’t drop and he was an integral part of the side who made their first final since the inaugural edition of the IPL.

He played 13 out of 14 matches, took 13 wickets and went at just over eight an over.

It’s his opening two overs that normally set the tone for New Zealand and he’s also one of their best fielders, possessing a rocket arm and an extremely reliable pair of hands, especially when fielding on the boundary.

Medal to represent the game changer for the New Zealand team in 2021 World Cup

Game-changer: Finn Allen

New Zealand have lacked a reliable opening batsman to play alongside the aging Martin Guptill ever since Brendon McCullum retired.

Colin Munro had his moments but rarely at the biggest ICC tournaments, so they moved on from him and it’s Allen they’ve put their faith in.

A tall man at 1.88m, the 23-year old is a fearless hitter but not a slogger; he has a sound technique that means he often plays proper cricket shots rather than swinging across the line.

But despite that, it’s his strike rate that really catches the eye. He’s striking at 169 in T20Is and an even better 173 in domestic T20.

He has a century to his name in each of those, showing he can stick around and play proper innings rather than just making fast starts and getting out.

The fast pitches in Australia should suit his batting style where he can cut, pull and drive freely.

New Zealand T20 World Cup Analysis

Time to round up our preview of New Zealand.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this New Zealand side who have plenty to like about them. A fine skipper, aggressive batsmen, a couple of good all-rounders and lots of options with the ball, whether it’s swing, raw pace or spin.

They’re always tough to beat and will also field like their lives depend on it.

That’s always been the case with them and there are no reasons to think it will be any different this time round.

They’ll have to bring their A-Game to the table if they’re to beat one of Australia or England and win all their other Group matches to qualify for the semis,

But after the last World Cup where they made the final and their ongoing performances since, we know they’re more than capable.

A tick to represent the strengths of the West Indies World Cup team

Strengths

  • In Williamson, they have one of the better captains around.
  • Southee and Boult are one of the best opening partnerships with the new ball.
  • Excellent fielding standards.
  • Some big hitters in the middle-order with Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert and James Neesham all capable of clearing the boundary.
  • Great unity and ability to perform as a team rather than as individuals.

An X to represent the weaknesses of the West Indies World Cup team

Weaknesses

  • Williamson’s injury concerns could disrupt the side.
  • Have lost three World Cup finals in a row across Two ODI World Cups and last year’s T20 World Cup.
  • Not many players have featured in the Big Bash over the years.
Betway

The SAFEST Betting Site in the World!

  • Focused on cricket for the Indian market
  • Fast withdrawals with rupees
  • Live streaming of matches
Parimatch

MOST POPULAR Indian Betting Site

  • Accepts Indian payment methods
  • Good selection of sports
  • Amazing customer support
10CRIC

The BEST Betting Site in India!

  • Cricket & Kabaddi Betting
  • Fast Paytm Withdrawals
  • Local Indian Brand