New Zealand's probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Considered one of the favourites, New Zealand are in Group C alongside West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
The ninth edition of the Twenty20 World Cup is around the corner and the hype is already high in the cricket fraternity as the Indian Premier League (IPL) is in full swing. The 2024 T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by West Indies and the USA from June 1. For the first time in history, 20 teams are going to participate in the premier 20-over tournament.
All participants are divided into five groups, each with five teams. Considered one of the favourites, New Zealand are in Group C alongside West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea. The Black Caps have been consistent performers in the last few ICC tournaments. Notably, they reached the finals of the T20 World Cup in 2021 and the semi-finals in 2022.
However, they are not good at cracking the code to win the title. To date, Kiwis have won only two ICC tournaments - the Champions Trophy in 2000 and the first-ever World Test Championship in 2021. Can Kane Williamson and Co. break the jinx and clinch their maiden limited-overs title this time around?
Click here: T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule
Here is New Zealand’s probable 15-member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
1. Kane Williamson (c)
Kane Williamson will lead New Zealand in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. He missed a lot of matches last year due to injury, but that did not hinder his performances. Williamson led New Zealand to their second ICC title - the 2021 WTC - and will now aim to add another feather to his cap.
The 33-year-old scored 83 runs in two innings with the help of a half-century in the home series against Pakistan earlier this year. Williamson has played nearly 90 T20I matches and has accumulated over 2500 runs in this format. His ability to perform under pressure makes him one of the stand-out performers of today's era.
2. Devon Conway (wk)
A vital cog in all formats for New Zealand, Devon Conway will open the innings in the marquee event. His consistency, composure and ability to score big along with strike rate in check make him a valuable player. Conway was part of the five-match home series against Pakistan.
However, he could only play in the first three matches due to a thumb injury, which also ruled him out of the 2024 IPL. Despite not being part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad, the keeper-batter was recently seen training with the team and undergoing rehabilitation. He is expected to make a full recovery before the World Cup.
3. Finn Allen
Explosive top-order batter Finn Allen is also suffering from injury but is expected to cut the World Cup squad. Allen has been forced to miss the ongoing away T20I series against Pakistan with a back injury. The 25-year-old, if fit, will partner with Conway to give the right-left opening combination.
Allan has made over 1100 runs in 43 T20Is at a massive strike rate of 163.61 including two centuries and four fifties. Notably, he was adjudged Player of the Series in the home series against Pakistan in January this year for finishing as the highest run-scorer (275 runs).
4. Tim Seifert (wk)
Tim Seifert will be the backup wicket-keeping and opening option for New Zealand. In the absence of Conway and Allen, the right-hander is playing both roles for the Black Caps in the ongoing T20I series against Pakistan. Seifert, who has played 60 T20I matches to date, is an experienced campaigner and his expertise will be useful for NZ in the tournament.
Notably, the 29-year-old was impressive in the shorter format last year, scoring 401 runs in 13 matches with 3 half-centuries. He was the team's second-highest run scorer with a 33+ batting average. Conway and Seifert will be the Kiwis' wicketkeepers in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
5. Mark Chapman
Mark Chapman could be a great pick for New Zealand in the middle-order. He always plays with an attacking mindset. which is exactly needed in this format. Chapman has played 73 T20I matches and has scored over 1500 runs at a strike rate of 133.8, including a century and eight half-centuries.
He is currently playing against Pakistan and made a match-winning contribution of 87 off 42 balls in the third T20I. Chapman is a versatile batter who can bat in any position as per the needs of the team. He can also chip in with some left-arm spin deliveries in the middle stages.
Also Read: England's probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024
6. Glenn Phillips
Glenn Phillips, an aggressive right-handed batter, will patrol the middle order to increase the scoring rate rapidly. So far, Phillips has played 74 T20 matches and has scored over 1800 runs at an average of 33.02 and a strike rate of 143.22. He also has two centuries in this format.
In the home series against Pakistan, Phillips was the fifth-highest run-scorer with 147 runs from five matches, including a half-century. He can also be a handy bowler with off-spin deliveries in the middle stages. Furthermore, he is also a gun fielder in the outfield, making him an X-factor player for the Black Caps.
7. Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell has been away from international cricket since March last year following injuries including a ruptured Achilles and a broken finger. However, with Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner busy with IPL duties, he is back in the squad as captain for the ongoing tour of Pakistan.
Appointing him as the captain shows that the management is assured of his potential and remains an important cog in the team. Bracewell is an attacking middle-order/lower-middle-order batter and a part-time off-spin bowler.
8. Mitchell Santner
New Zealand have been blessed with many quality all-rounders and Mitchell Santner is one of the finest in their ranks. Considered by many as a like-for-like replacement for the legend Daniel Vettori, Santner has been a match-winner for the Black Caps in recent times.
The left-arm spinner claimed 16 scalps in 13 games last year and was the team's leading wicket-taker in the 20-over format. One of the few Kiwis to have played 100 T20Is, Santner has scored over 600 runs at a strike rate of 122.18, including a half-century. He has also experience in leading the national T20 side.
9. Rachin Ravindra
With 578 runs from 10 matches at an average of 64.22, Rachin Ravindra finished the 2023 ODI World Cup as the fourth-highest run scorer. He was one of the primary reasons the Antipodes nation had a tremendous campaign in India last year.
The management is expecting similar heroics from the young sensation in the upcoming multi-national tournament as well. Ravindra is an attacking left-handed batter and also a handy left-arm orthodox bowler. Having played 20 T20I matches, the 24-year-old has 214 runs and grabbed 10 wickets.
10. James (Jimmy) Neesham
James Neesham is an experienced campaigner in the New Zealand squad. The fast-bowling all-rounder has played 75 matches in the shorter format and has scored 907 runs at an impressive strike rate of 156.11. He also has 36 scalps with a best bowling figure of 3/16.
Neesham is known for his scintillating boundary-clearing ability. His big hitting in the lower middle order can turn the tide in the team’s favour. The 33-year-old is currently part of the Kiwi squad for the five-match T20I series against Pakistan.
Also Read: India's Probable 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2024
11. Trent Boult
This man needs no introduction. The backbone of the Kiwi pace attack will be a big threat to the opposition batters. He is known for taking wickets in the first over of the innings or if not, within the first six overs with his sheer pace and fearsome swing deliveries. Giving such early strikes will put New Zealand ahead of the game at the very start of the innings.
Boult, who is currently shining well for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL, has played 57 T20I matches and taken 74 wickets. The left-arm pacer is a vital cog in the New Zealand set-up across formats and is a big-match player who can hold his nerve in times of crisis.
12. Tim Southee
Legend of New Zealand cricket. One of the few players in the world to have played more than 100 matches in all three formats of the game. He has represented the national team in several World Cups and will aim to utilize all his expertise in the upcoming event to win their maiden title in this category.
Outswinger is the most damaging delivery from him. Moreover, he can be a game changer with his pace variations and reverse swing, which may be more effective on the slower surface in the Caribbean. Notably, Southee was the highest wicket-taker (10 scalps) in the T20I home series against Pakistan earlier this year.
13. Ish Sodhi
Ish Sodhi is one of the few players to have represented New Zealand in more than 100 T20Is. The right-arm leg-spinner has so far played 114 matches and taken 135 wickets. He also has experience playing in several T20 leagues, which makes him a vital part of the team.
The Indian-origin cricketer was a successful bowler for the Black Caps last year, taking 15 wickets in 17 matches to become the team's second-highest wicket-taker. He has the knack of picking up crucial wickets and also being economical at the same time.
14. Lockie Ferguson
An express fast bowler who can constantly trouble the opposition batters with searing pace and deadly bouncers. Lockie Ferguson sometimes struggles to find accuracy in length, but his intimidating speed will find success. Players who are weak against short balls may pray not to face the Kiwi pacer.
The right-arm speedster missed several matches last year, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, due to injuries. However, he will be aiming for an impressive outing in the T20 World Cup in June. Ferguson is currently with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.
Also Read: Australia's probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024
15. Adam Milne
Adam Milne has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against Pakistan after injuring his ankle during a training session ahead of the team's departure to the Asian country. However, the right-arm pacer is expected to be fit in time for the upcoming major tournament.
Milne had a fruitful outing for New Zealand in T20Is last year. He took 14 scalps in 12 games with an economy rate of 8.71, including a stunning five-wicket haul. The 32-year-old is a promising fast bowler but needs to work on maintaining his fitness level.
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