There is always something about ICC tournaments that
manages to bring the best out of this motley New Zealand crew. They have managed
to make the knockout stages of the 2011, 2015, and the 2019 ODI World Cup.
However, that elusive trophy still avoids them. They will be looking to erase
the heartbreak of losing on boundaries to finally go one step better in this
tournament, something they have not managed to do in the last two 50-over World
Cup finals they have been a part of.
After defeating Bangladesh 2-1 at their fortress in
Mirpur in playing conditions that shouldn’t be too dissimilar from those they
will encounter at the World Cup, New Zealand arrived in India. The only issue
is that this team differs significantly from the one that will face England on
October 5. They only won eight out of 20 ODI matches in 2023, which was
undoubtedly a result of limited access to their finest players. Less than half
of those games featured their two most notable players, Trent Boult (5) and
Kane Williamson (3).
They have 15 years of experience, which is a lot. New
Zealand places such a high value on it that they are willing to play not one
but two players whose bodies have only recently recovered from injury and are
unsure of their ability to withstand the rigours of a world championship. It
makes sense to take a chance. Williamson, the team’s captain, is the centre of
attention in the batting order, and Tim Southee is required to complete a
bowling attack that also features a left-arm quick, an express quick, a
legspinner, and three fingerspinners.
Top-order hitters bedding all the way in is a crucial
component of ODI cricket on the subcontinent, and Devon Conway essentially does
that everywhere he goes. A left-handed spinner who manages a hundred around
once every five innings and whose off-side power game is on par with, if not
better than, his leg-side power game? There, that is a bank.
Must-watch television is Glenn Phillips. The actions
of this guy expose even the most secretive cricket lover. John Cena is
currently coughing. He gets ready to bat like Steven Smith, complete with
no-run screams, but Glenn Maxwell is probably more like him. At the beginning
of the year in Karachi, Phillips’ ability to strike 360 degrees and completely
ransack runs from down the order was on great display as he guided New Zealand
to their first ODI series victory in the subcontinent since 2008. He is
outstanding in the field and bowls some really helpful offbreaks, which New
Zealand may rely on extensively in the coming weeks.