New Zealand in 2010 and their chances in ICC World Cup 2011
New Zealand is going into the World Cup after taking a heavy blow to its morale following a spate of poor performances against Pakistan. Pakistan managed to win both the test and the ODI series and this performance by the men in green served to exacerbate the problems of the Kiwi’s. Losing a series right before the World cup is like a final pinch of salt on their wounds and dark gloomy clouds of despair have started to shroud the minds of the Black Caps.
The New Zealand team have been drafted into Group A with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748. All the teams would fancy their chances to reach the quarter-finals but unfortunately it would be relatively hard for the Kiwi’s to make their mark against the top teams of the World.
The downfall of the Black caps started right after the end of 2008/09. A major reason for the deteriorating form of New Zealand has been their relative inability to play spin and the presence of too many all-rounders within the team. The team needs some specialists in order to win matches. Too many all-rounders provide flexibility in the team but it has its drawbacks too. Like most other cricket teams the Kiwi’s need a right mix of both specialist batsmen and bowlers. They require the assistance of batsman who can bat for the duration of the 50 overs and bowlers who can take a 5 wicket haul for their team.
The black caps did not perform well in the year 2010, due to which they have slipped to number seven in the ICC ODI rankings. They had played 12 matches, out of which they lost eleven. This not only goes on to depict their poor performance but also shows gaping holes in their strategy and planning. What is most surprising is the fact that the Kiwis lost most of the matches from nations hosting the ICC World Cup i.e. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
Given their poor performance against the host teams of the World Cup, it would require some extra effort on their part to upset these teams in home conditions. The kiwis performed comparatively well in the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in 2010 in their home conditions, but playing in the subcontinent would be an entirely new game for the Black caps. Secondly, their performance record of playing in the subcontinent is not exceptionally good.
The New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has been badly criticised for losing all the matches and for not improving the team performance. He was even allowed by the NZ board to give his suggestion in the selection of the final squad. Given the fact that he was given so much flexibility by the board to make changes to the team that would help them improve, the team’s recent performances do not justify his credentials as captain of the team.
The success of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 team depends on his performance and that of key players like Brendon McCullum. His style of bowling and effective batting from the lower-order would be an important part to lead the team. These senior players need to step up their ante if the Kiwi’s want to have a chance of making into the quarter finals.
Another disturbance occurred when coach Mark Great Batch was replaced by John Wright before the 2009/10 series against Pakistan. The whole team was working according to the plan and strategy made by Mark Great Batch and this drastic replacement caused trouble within the team. The team and the board initially felt that it would be unfair to replace the coach right before the Wold Cup 2011, but later after considering Wright’s credentials, the board agreed and accepted him as the new coach for the Black Caps.
The New Zealand team has high expectations from its all rounders Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Scott Stris, James Franklin and Nathan McCullum. These all rounders are considered as the strength of the team. The Kiwis also have some flamboyant players like Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, who can take the game away from the other teams, especially in sub-continent conditions where hitting is easy.
New Zealand might have their fair share of problems going into the World Cup however this does not give any one the right to completely rule them out as a contender in the World Cup for the team has all the potential and talent to wreak some serious damage against the strong teams playing in the tournament.
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