Beware of the Black Caps

Who Wins World Cup 2015?
Beware of the Black Caps

New Zealand in New Zealand and Australia is always a different team with different potential. Kiwis in down under can win matches against any team at least in the shorter versions of the game. In the only other world cup held in the southern hemisphere New Zealand was cruising like a well-oiled unit till getting robbed by Imran Khan’s cornered tiger of more specifically one budding genius at that Inzimamul Haque. The present New Zealand team over the last few months has appeared to be a very strong all round units. Explosive batting, penetrative bowling, excellent fielding have gelled this unit into a potent force for the ICC World Cup 2015. Moreover, home conditions, known wicket will put them among the hot favorites. Kiwis are not mere dark horse; they are among favorites for winning the cup this time.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes New Zealand’s World Cup 2015 squad has “more strength” in both the batting and bowling departments that it did in previous editions of the tournament, giving them a greater chance of success this time. Former India captain Rahul Dravid, tagged New Zealand as “serious contenders” for the title.
Pool A:Australia, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland.
New Zealand in World Cup Cricket.
New Zealand have been a part of the ODI World Cup since its very start, New Zealand has never managed to win the tournament even once till date. In fact, the team hasn’t made it to the finals as well. At the very best, New Zealand has reached the semifinals (in fact, the team had made it to the semifinals six times – 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2011).

• New Zealand’s most successful World Cup batsman is Stephen Fleming with a total of 1075 runs. During the 2007 World Cup, Scott Styris became the most successful New Zealand batsman in a single tournament, scoring 499 runs and surpassing Martin Crowe’s previous record of 456 runs, which were scored during the 1992 World Cup. Crowe was the 1992 tournament’s top run scorer, a feat rewarded with the Player of the Tournament title.
• New Zealand’s highest scorer in a game is Glenn Turner, with 171 not out against East Africa in 1975
• Brendan McCullum of New Zealand took only 20 balls to score the fastest 50 in World Cup history, in 2007 against Canada
• New Zealand’s highest partnership is for the fourth wicket versus Australia in 1996 when Lee Germon and Chris Harris combined to score 168 runs.
• New Zealand’s best match figures belong to Shane Bond who took 6/23 against Australia in 2003.
• Chris Harris (32 wickets) holds the record for the most World Cup wickets by a New Zealander.
• New Zealand’s highest total at the World Cup is 363/5, scored against Canada in 2007.
• New Zealand’s lowest total is 112, scored against Australia in 2003.

New Zealand in ICC World Cup 2015
In the ensuing World to be co-hosted by Australia New Zealand they are in Pool A.
Pool A:Australia, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland.
The advantages that New Zealand will have in the pool over the others in the pool that most of their matches are at home grounds in known environment. The ground is relatively smaller, wickets have plenty of bounces, conditions are seaming .Teams from other countries may find it difficult to adjust at the early stages of the tournament. New Zealand in recent times have performed exceedingly well against very strong Pakistan team away in UAE and Sri Lanka at home .New Zealand over the years have proved as strong rivals even against formidable Tasman neighbors Australia . I find no reason why New Zealand cannot even finish second behind Australia in the group behind Australia if not finishing on top. England and Sri Lanka will find them as tough cookies. Bangladesh at Hamilton will find Black Caps a completely different side that they white washed in their domestic condition twice before. However the first match of the tournament against Sri Lanka at Christchurch will be trend setter .Team winning will have the momentum. The two teams may be evenly matched in quality but home condition may give the Black Caps added advantage.

New Zealand Squad for World Cup:

Tom Latham and Martin Guptil in recent time have proved to be ideal ODI opening partners in laying soild foundation for their very talented middle order batsmen in playing aggressively. They have good skills and great temperament. Blooming Kane Williamson has played some explosive quality innings in the recent past which has changed the otherwise uncertain New Zealand batting to a great strength. His captain McCullam has found in him the qualities which may develop him as all-time greats of the New Zealand batting alongside Martin Crowe , Bert Sutcliff and others.Ross Taylor and McCullam will provide depth and experience in the batting and Corey Anderson the dynamism. World Cricket is well aware of what McCullam can do with his dynamite bat. World Cricket is also aware of Ross Taylors cool competence. Corey Anderson along with AB de Villiers, Steve Smith and Glen Maxwell are the most fearsome willow wielders at world cricket. Then the black caps have Willy fox Dan Vettori, who can be equally useful with his bat. Very dynamic Luke Ronchi can be extremely useful in slog overs to turn medium targets into competitive ones. New Zealand may consistently produce enough runs for their very diverse and quality bowling attack to defend.

New Zealand is definitely not the best bowling side but they have few above average bowlers who as a team through combined efforts and in support of very sharp and agile fielding may defend competitive scores that the team will offer. Kyle Mills and Tim Southee will spearhead the attack with Trent Boult and Adam Milne forming no less formidable new ball attack on favorable pace friendly down under wickets . The spin department will be in the proven hands of maestro Dan Vettori and Nathan McCullum. The bowling is well suited with some all-rounders giving depth, diversity and balance.
Black caps are very sharp and alert fielders and they are marshaled by a naturally aggressive Brendon McCullum who only loves to win playing fair and honest cricket. New Zealand is too good an ODI team not to feature in the finals or win it .They are peaking at the right time for the right occasion.