New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup 2021

New Zealand would be coming into the T20 World Cup 2021 with a lot of confidence from their recent success at ICC events and with a squad that has the potential to go for the kill. Gone are the days when the Blackcaps were only considered as a dark horse. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) was the first among all the top eight teams to announce their squad, but it will be interesting to see if they make any change before October 10 or not. 

In the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup in India, the Blackcaps qualified from the super 10 round unbeaten, having got wins against India and Pakistan, both of whom they will face in this edition in the super 12 round. They had lost the semi-final to England but will be aiming for a better finish this time around. 

Speaking about the 15-member squad, the NZC selectors made a couple of harsh calls in terms of filling up some spots. Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme missed out after a couple of underwhelming seasons in the New Zealand T20I team. Despite their absence, the Blackcaps have a pretty rounded batting order. 

New Zealand pick four spin-bowling options, but with less variety 

Skipper Kane Williamson and opener Martin Guptill remain their most important and experienced batters. To fill the role of wicketkeeper, New Zealand has Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway, with at least two of them ready to play in the starting XI. They have also picked up five all-rounders and the picks have been made keeping in mind the conditions. 

James Neesham and Daryl Mitchell are the two seam-bowling all-rounders. Mark Chapman and Mitchell Santner are both capable all-rounders with similar skill sets. Apart from being a left-handed batter, Chapman can give Williamson some overs of left-arm finger spin, much like Santner. Todd Astle is the second right-arm leg-spinner included in the team apart from Ish Sodhi. 

Last but not least comes the Kiwi fast-bowling unit. New Zealand’s pace attack has been quite lethal in recent years and was instrumental during their World Cup 2019 runners-up finish and subsequent success at the World Test Championship. Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Southee form a good trio and should be the first-choice bowlers.

Kyle Jamieson has also been included in the squad but hasn’t been in the top form in white-ball cricket. The only traveling reserve named in the squad is Adam Milne, who could end up replacing Jamieson if the selectors want to make a change ahead of the tournament. 

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

Reserve: Adam Milne