ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – NEW ZEALAND

Now a days New Zealand cricket is losing its sheen. Since 2000, the Blackcaps have not won a single Major Tournament. They shocked everyone by reaching the Finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 in South Africa. This time they are going into the ICC Champions Trophy as Underdogs. They have the team to surprise any team. Can they spring a surprise by Winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2013? Cricmatez.com brings you the Chances of New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

New Zealand’s History in the ICC Champions Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – NEW ZEALAND

Squad

Batsmen

• Martin Guptill
• Ross Taylor
• Colin Munro
• Kane Williamson
• Grant Elliott

Wicket-Keepers

• Brendon McCullam (Captain)
• Luke Ronchi

All-Rounders

• James Franklin

Bowlers

• Tim Southee
• Mitchell McClenaghan
• Trent Boult
• Kyle Mills
• Nathan McCullam
• Daniel Vettori
• Doug Bracewell

Strengths

• Decent New Ball attack which comprises of Kyle Mills and Southee.
• They are getting used to the conditions in England much earlier than other teams.
• Right Mix of Youth and Experience.
• Kane Williamson is in the form of his life.

Weakness

• They are very inconsistent.
• They fail to click as a unit.

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – NEW ZEALAND

X-Factor

Over the last few tears, Kyle Mills has been the spearhead of the New Zealand Bowling attack in ODI’s. He has been successful with the New Ball, swinging it both ways and causing troubles for the batsmen. Later in the Batting Powerplays, his experience will come in handy. He can also score some quick runs with the bat when needed. With the Conditions in England, suits the Seamers, Mills will be the key to New Zealand’s fortunes in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

Watch Out For

Mills’ new ball partner Tim Southee is currently one of the Finest New Ball Bowler around the World. He along with Mills is expected to shoulder New Zealand’s bowling responsibilities in the initial overs and towards the end. He also has the ability to Reverse swing the ball in the end overs. He has sharp Yorkers, well-directed short balls and surprise slower deliveries in his Armour. He is also a part of the New Zealand’s Test Squad that is being humbled in England. He is quite successful in the test series and the same is expected from him in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 as well.

The last two years has seen a dip in New Zealand’s batting line up. But the arrival of Kane Williamson has solved their woes.

The young man has risen to the occasion and rescued New Zealand from trouble in many occasions. He is successful against the Indian Spinners in India and the South African Pacers in South Africa which shows that he is equally good in playing Pace and Spin. He is getting accustomed to the condition in England as he is a part of the ongoing Test Series in England. Batting at number 3, Williamson binds the Kiwi Batting line-up and is expected to set a platform for Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullam and Luke Ronchi to finish off things in style.

Possible Playing XI

Luke Ronchi(w.k), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullam(c), James Franklin, Nathan McCullam, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Schedule

Group Stages ( Group-A)