New Zealand are no strangers to being the 'dark horse' in the World Cup. But at the end of the day, they are among the few teams that have been consistent. The T20 World Cup is no exception. They have only failed to touch the trophy. New Zealand are the only team to have reached the semi-finals of the last three T20 World Cups. Of those, they had to come back as runners-up in 2021. That is the team's best achievement so far.
This time too, the favourites may not be the same, but no one would want to rule out a balanced team. Williamson is going to be the first New Zealand player to lead the team in four T20 World Cups. However, he was away from international T20s for a long time due to injuries, rest and paternity leave. Williamson played in only two of New Zealand's first 35 T20s after the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The Kiwi selectors have prioritized experience in selecting the team, which can be understood by comparing this year's team with the last T20 World Cup. Only two players have been left out of the last edition's team - Martin Guptill and Adam Mee. Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry, who have been given a chance to replace them, will be playing their first T20 World Cup.
Tim Southee is the most experienced member of the 15-member team. Southee, the highest wicket-taker in international T20s, will be playing his seventh T20 World Cup. On the other hand, this will be the fifth T20 World Cup for Southee's long-time bowling partner Trent Boult. The pace attack formed by the Southee-Boult pair of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry can trouble any team. Two pace bowling all-rounders Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell can also be effective in Caribbean conditions.
Spin bowling all-rounders Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips have also been quite consistent. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is also in rhythm. Another spin all-rounder, Michael Bracewell, who missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to injury, has also returned to the team. With the top-order cricketers busy with the IPL, the second-tier team toured Pakistan in April, led by Bracewell. New Zealand drew the series against a full-strength Pakistan.
The batting lineup is also quite strong. Finn Allen can give a flying start with devastating batting. Ravindra can also score quick runs by taking advantage of the powerplay. Devon Conway, who missed the IPL due to injury, will return with the World Cup. Conway is also the team's first-choice wicketkeeper. Williamson and Mitchell are in the middle order to take care of the team if the top order fails. Mark Chapman, Phillips, and Neesham can change the course of the match towards the end. Chapman has been doing great in the role of finisher in recent times, which is an extra credit for New Zealand.
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