New Zealand, fifty-over World Cup runners-up two years ago, come into the T20 World Cup, as so often, with an extremely tidy looking squad.
The Black Caps have wonderful fast bowling depth, as illustrated by Adam Milne – a star of the English summer – somehow only making it as a travelling reserve. Lockie Ferguson is among the world’s best limited overs quicks, while the enduring class of Trent Boult will be a powerplay asset.
They look well stocked on spin as well, whether through all-rounders like Mitchell Santner, or specialist leggies Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle.
Some generational change has been seen in the batting, with the likes of Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips, and Devon Conway – who is flying in all three formats – around, but Ross Taylor and Colin Munro absent. Daryl Mitchell also sneaks in ahead of Colin de Grandhomme as an all-rounder. Still, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham remain, providing experience.
Key man - Lockie Ferguson
Long sleeves and black trainers may not be standard clothing for a fast bowler (although his facial hair has often fitted the bill). But without much fanfare, Ferguson has become one of the slipperiest quicks on the planet. Rapid.
New Zealand squad in full
Kane Williamson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
New Zealand fixtures
Super 12 stage
- Pakistan vs New Zealand (3pm, Tuesday, October 26)
- India vs New Zealand (2pm, Sunday, October 31)
- New Zealand vs B1 qualifier (10am, Wednesday, November 3)
- New Zealand vs A2 qualifier (10am, Friday, November 5)
- New Zealand vs Afghanistan (10am, Sunday, November 7)
See full T20 World Cup fixtures, results and standings here.
