World Cup 2019 – Match 41: ENG vs NZ – New Zealand Predicted Playing XI

New Zealand’s World Cup 2019 campaign has taken a bit of beating in the last few days. First, they had a close shave in the game against Windies and would consider themselves fortunate to have got over the line. While they managed to maintain their unbeaten streak until that point in time, the performance in the last two games was disappointing.

The Kiwis lost to Pakistan and Australia by quite some margins putting their knockout chances in peril. They face England in their last league game and have got some questions to answer. Even though there are not a lot of concerns as far as the playing eleven is concerned, there still are a few weak spots yet to be addressed. Keeping that in mind, will New Zealand try anything different for the crucial encounter against England?

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for New Zealand

Openers (Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls)

Martin Guptill has either been too aggressive or too defensive thus far in the tournament. Unfortunately, both these ploys haven’t worked for him so far. Guptill should look to play his natural game without taking too much pressure and that is how he scored an excellent fifty in New Zealand’s tournament opener against Sri Lanka.

Henry Nicholls had just got one opportunity so far in the tournament and it is too early to judge based upon this lone performance. He might not have clicked in the last game but has been doing a great job for his team on a consistent basis. Thus, the team will back him for the game against England as well.

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

A lot of New Zealand’s fortunes will depend upon the way Kane Williamson plays. He didn’t seem to be at his best in the last two games that his team lost. Big things are expected from him in this crucial encounter against the hosts. Ross Taylor has also got to step up.

He will surely be under pressure but has got enough experience to deal with such situations. Being the senior player in the side, he should look to take the onus and deliver the goods for his team. Tom Latham is causing a bit of concern with his form. However, the Kiwis wouldn’t want to take a chance with Tom Blundell at this stage and will stick to Latham.

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

James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme have exceeded expectations with the bat. Their performances have given the middle order a sense of surety. Moreover, they can switch gears at ease and score some quick runs as well towards the end of the innings.

They are both more than handy with the ball and pick up some important wickets. Mitchell Santner had been quite economical through the middle overs and keeps things tight at one end. He is an integral part of the eleven and adds a good amount of depth to the batting line-up.

Bowlers (Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult)

Ish Sodhi was drafted into the side for the match against Australia. The leg-spinner got to bowl six overs and was rather expensive. Thus, New Zealand is likely to go back to Matt Henry. Although he hasn’t picked many wickets of late, Henry bowls quick and is good with the new ball.

The Kiwis need not worry about the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult. Both of them are doing an excellent job and have regularly been amongst the wickets. If they could pick up some wickets early in the game, England will be under some real pressure.