“… And the Test Championship final?”
Kane Williamson doesn’t usually cut in on a question. He normally listens, thinks and then responds to what’s asked of him. But on this occasion, coming right after the close of the T20 World Cup in Dubai, something set him off. Perhaps it was hearing it out loud that this was the third World Cup final loss for his side in little over six years. Perhaps it was the helplessness at the “uncontrollables” selling them down the river time and again. Or perhaps it was both from a captain and a leader who felt the need to underline that New Zealand did after all win something despite all the odds.
It felt like a reminder from Kane to himself as much as to the world.
Two years on from that press conference, New Zealand arrive on the scene of yet another World Cup. The venue is India, yet another destination where they will not be tagged “one of the favourites”. And not without reason; they lost 3-0 to India the last time they were here, and currently have their captain taking nervous steps back to match-fitness, a back-up fast bowler recovering on the sidelines from a thumb fracture, and a key all-rounder nursing his right Achilles back home and who will continue to do so for the entirety of the World Cup.
Look at all that mishmash and you’d be forgiven for not giving them a chance in 2023. But tread with caution, for they are a side who have been runners-up in the last two ODI World Cups, which couldn’t have been played in more different conditions. Five players from the 2015 squad and nine players from the 2019 squad are still in this traveling party to India, and this could be the last hurrah for so many of them. How, then, can you not expect them to underpromise and overdeliver once again?
Take another look at them. Because they have been thinking. There’s a makeshift but steadfast opener in Will Young in place, who’s been preferred to the more adventurous Finn Allen in times when ODIs are being played at breakneck pace. Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham, both without central contracts, have been invited back into the national fold at the cost of players who have been slogging in their absence. Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, who are set to appear in their fourth ODI World Cup, have been picked despite fitness concerns. The focus is clearly on experience, as you’d expect from New Zealand who know a thing or two about needing them at the right time.
As difficult as they can be to predict, New Zealand are a fascinating team to track. They confuse you, they humble you, they make you proud and they make you bleed for them. Come the eve of the final, don’t be too surprised if it’s Kane Williamson posing by the trophy side right at the spot where he landed awkwardly on his knee and all but ruled himself out of the World Cup. Whether it will be Kane lifting the trophy the next day is still up in the air but you know he will have a smile come the press conference that follows. And perhaps another reminder or two.
Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc,wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young
Probable XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson © **, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips/Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham/Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Matt Henry/Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
** Kane Williamson isn’t available for the opening match against England in Ahmedabad
BlackCaps head coach Gary Stead has spoken highly of Mark Chapman’s finishing skills and especially his abilities against spin, so expect a role for him in this World Cup. He is likely to fill in for Kane Williamson at No.3 in the opening match but once that’s done, he’ll be in contention for the spot currently with Glenn Phillips, who also brings a bit of bowling to the table and was seen rolling his arm with the new ball in the warm-up match against Pakistan.
Lower down the order, New Zealand are likely to pick and choose between Neesham and Ravindra depending on the conditions on offer. Ravindra, though, comes with some form behind him in the warm-up (97 off 72 against Pakistan) and is likely to start ahead of Neesham.
Keep an eye on: Daryl Mitchell
He’s the Mitchell that the world doesn’t speak enough about. The 32-year-old has been one of New Zealand’s best players across formats in recent times but constantly goes under the radar, much like his team actually. Since January 2022, he has scored 913 runs in 24 innings at an average of 42 and a strike-rate of 90. He comes into this World Cup fresh and with form behind him, and has shown an appetite for big occasions in the past. Not to forget that he can run in and bowl too if needed. Do not take your eyes off him.
Marquee Match: India vs New Zealand
A marquee match in every sense of the word. Not just because it’s India versus New Zealand but because it’s India versus a side they haven’t had a measure of in ICC tournaments lately. Add to that the drama of 25,000 fans walking in with the hurt, exactly aware of the key occasions India haven’t been able to beat New Zealand. Add to that the dynamic of the playing surface in Dharamsala, which of all the venues would be the one place New Zealand wouldn’t mind playing India in India.
Banana Peel fixture: New Zealand vs Afghanistan
Bangladesh and Afghanistan can be difficult teams to beat on spin-friendly pitches in Asia, and New Zealand play them both one after another on the slower pitches of Chennai. What will hold them in good stead, though, is their 2-0 series win over Bangladesh in the days leading up to this World Cup. They have never lost an ODI to Afghanistan but then again, they have never played them in Asia either, so keep an eye on that game.