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New Zealand's chances of winning T20 World Cup look bright

| Updated: October 04, 2021 21:52:18


Kane Williamson will lead New Zealand in the upcoming T20 World Cup — Reuters/Files Kane Williamson will lead New Zealand in the upcoming T20 World Cup — Reuters/Files

New Zealand won the ICC Test Championship by beating India in June this year. They also broke the impregnable English fortress in the test format after 2014 en route to their success.

The Kiwis are now the number 1 side in both test and ODI formats, thanks to their consistent performance. Although they haven’t been that dominant in the shortest format of the game, i.e. T20s, the Black Caps will still be considered one of the favourites for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

New Zealand may not have an abundance in the pipeline, but the whole squad comprises some astonishing, diligent and promising sportsmen. Their side looks much more experienced where Devon Conway, Todd Astle, Glenn Philips - these youngsters add an extra spark.

Opener Conway holds an outstanding average of 59.12 and strike rate of 151.12. His partner Martin Guptill, who has not been in his best recently, also holds a strike rate of 136.82 in the format. Guptill, who played 102 matches and scored 2939 runs -- the second highest in the format, is easily one of the best players in T20 cricket.

And then comes captain Kane Williamson, an emblem of sensible batting in the no 3 position. Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Philips, Tim Seifert - all of them are big hitters of the cricket ball with a strike rate ranging from 135 to 160.

Additionally, Neesham can contribute significantly with the bowl which made the Kiwis more compatible in T20 format. Moreover, both of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi are in good shape. These two also have the ability to take few wickets in the middle overs and restrict the opposition.

However, an excellent pace attack might prove to be New Zealand’s biggest strength, with bowlers like Boult and Southee, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Kyle Jamieson.

Ferguson is too stingy with an economy rate of 6.87. Tim Southee and Trent Boult are the experienced ones who can pick early wickets and can bowl efficiently at the deaths with accurate yorkers and baffling slower deliveries.

Along with all these, the Kiwi fortress is strengthened by their athletic fielding unit. From wicketkeeping to catching in the slip, or in the 30 yard circle, the Black Calps show electric characteristics while fielding.

The thing that makes this New Zealand side a favourite for the World Cup is that the team plays as a unit. They are superlative in all three formats and complement each other to snatch the success.

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