ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 18: IND vs NZ – New Zealand Predicted Playing XI

After a hat-trick of wins, New Zealand will face India in their next encounter. The ‘Men in Blue’ are another team yet to be beaten in the tournament. Thus, we’ve got a great contest on our hands only in case the rain doesn’t play a spoilsport. The last two games played in Nottingham were high-scoring ones. So, it will be a contest of the better bowling side as these two teams face each other.

The Kiwis were tested when they played Bangladesh in their second game. Even though they managed to win easily against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, which are relatively weaker oppositions, a few of their flaws were exposed against the quality opposition. India would have made a note of those and will look to go all guns blazing in an attempt to register their third win. The Kiwis will have to be on the top of their game in order to upset the tournament favourites.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for New Zealand

Openers (Martin Guptill, Colin Munro)

After his unbeaten 73 in the opening encounter against Sri Lanka, Martin Guptill has failed to create the same kind of fireworks. He scored 25 runs against Bangladesh and bagged a first-ball duck against Afghanistan. Hence, he is due for a big one and will hope that it will be his day on Thursday. The Kiwi opener has been in good form but needs to see the new ball off to make it big.

Just like Guptill, Colin Munro looked good in the first game but got out in the 20s in the last two encounters. The left-hander needs to be slightly more consistent and it wouldn’t matter even if he consumes a few deliveries early on as he has the ability to make up for it. Even though there might be some discussions surrounding Henry Nicholls, Munro is likely to get another opportunity.

Middle Order (Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk))

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been good in the tournament. He has led his troops from the front and has analysed the match conditions really well. Williamson is the anchor in this team and will look to score at a suitable pace depending upon the situation of the game. Being one of the best players of spin in this line-up, there is a huge responsibility for him.

Ross Taylor has been another top-notch player for New Zealand thus far in the tournament. He has played extremely well and seems to be in great form. But, if his team is chasing, he needs to ensure that he stays in the middle right till the end and completes the job. After the duck against Bangladesh, Tom Latham spent some time in the middle in the last match. He needs to catch up with some good form soon as he will have a massive say in New Zealand’s performance in the tournament.

All Rounders (James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner)

James Neesham was excellent in the last game picking up his first five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. He is a great asset to the team as he can swing the ball and trouble the batsmen. Moreover, he is a great hitter with the bat down the order and thus adds a great amount of balance to this side.

Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner will be the other two all-rounders in this team. While de Grandhomme bowled four overs and picked one wicket in the last game, Mitchell Santner had nothing to do except fielding. But while facing a quality opposition like India, these two will have bigger roles to fulfil.

Bowlers (Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult)

Both Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson have been excellent in the tournament and have been important factors behind this New Zealand winning streak. They have bowled quick and often hurried the batsmen. Ferguson picked up a four-wicket haul against Afghanistan. However, their real test will be in the next game when they bowl to the Indian batsmen.

They’ve got to maintain the same kind of intensity and should look to attack at all times. Trent Boult will also be hoping for a great performance. He was the wrecker-in-chief in the warm-up game a few days ago and will test the Indian top-three with swing and bounce early on. The opposition will be under serious pressure in this pace troika can dismiss at least two of the Indian top-three early in the innings.