Can New Zealand win the 20/20 World Cup
They have always been the underdogs in whatever tournament they have participated in, yet Daniel Vettori is confident his side would be able to upstage the best in the world and claim the throne that they rightly deserve. He should be confident, since he has the best fielding unit in the world, which combined with the best all-rounders, including himself, can give tough fight to any side, anytime, anywhere. They are off to a perfect start by beating Sri Lanka who were the last years finalists.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
The Kiwis have a little bit of everything - the most explosive batsman in Brendon McCullum, the only one to score a T20 century in both international cricket and the Indian Premier League; the most destructive bowler in Shane Bond's, considered an expert in death bowling; and the world’s most dependable all-rounder, Daniel Vettori who not only will be captaining his side but also helping the middle-lower order. Add big hitters like Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor and you get a dream outfit.
McCullum will be the key to his side’s fortunes. He is not only the highest run scorer and top six-hitter in this format of the game but also will become the first batsman to reach the 1,000-run milestone if he scores 13 runs. He has already smashed 38 sixes in 33 matches and has a strike rate of 133.19.
PROS OF KIWIS CRICKET:
Sharp as sharp could be on the field, the Kiwis are a professional unit which can give tough time to any side. They were the first ones to experiment with opening the bowling with a slow bowler and are likely to do so if the need arises during the mega event. Vettori is not only a shrewd leader but also a batsman/bowler who can almost single handedly change the course of the game.
CONS OF KIWIS CRICKET:
They might have the mightiest all-rounders in their side, but just like the Pakistan side of the 1999 World Cup, injury is their biggest concern. While Jacob Oram can smash the ball anywhere and take wickets at will as he demonstrated last year while taking a hat trick, Scott Styris has also helped his side win matches. But having the two together in the line up, that too as 100% fit is a dream come true. Their replacements Jesse Ryder, Ian Butler and Aaron Redmond, all have recently returned from injuries as well, meaning some of the players will turn out for the Kiwis ‘half-cooked’.
JOURNEY IN TWENTY20 WORLD CUP:
The Kiwis have often reached the last four of mega events including the last Champions Trophy, before falling short at the final few hurdles. They were thrashed out of the semi final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup by eventual runners up Pakistan, and failed to make it to the semi final stage in the second edition last year in England.
CHANCES IN THE THIRD EDITION:
Paired with last year’s runners up Sri Lanka and minnows Zimbabwe who won both their warm up matches, the Black Caps really shouldn't have any problems making the next round, if they play up to their full potential.
Jacob Oram believes New Zealand are at least capable of matching their performance at the inaugural world Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 where they reached the semifinals. “If we can get everyone fit then we're a real chance to go all the way," he said, confident he would see out the tournament after recovering from a knee injury.
Coach Mark Greatbatch, who was part of the side that lost to Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup, believes he has a well balanced side. "We think we have some very dynamic batters, who can be lethal in this form of the game. Our bowlers are also very effective Twenty20 performers."
More New Zealand Articles
New Zealand defeat Sri Lanka by two wickets in 20-20 world cup
http://www.senore.com/New-Zealand-defeat-Sri-Lanka-by-two-wickets-in-20-20-world-cup-a10714
New Zealand and Sri Lanka open World Twenty20
http://www.senore.com/New-Zealand-and-Sri-Lanka-open-World-Twenty20-a10685
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