ICC Champions Trophy 2013: England v New Zealand - New Zealand preview

For the time being, New Zealand is sitting pretty at the top of Group A table with 3 points. But New Zealand’s think-tank knows that they can’t take their last group encounter against formidable foes England lightly and allow for even a minor slip-up in a tournament like the Champions Trophy.

Pitch and conditions

The track at Cardiff turned out to be a batting paradise for the first game between South Africa and India. But as New Zealand played Sri Lanka on an worn-out pitch last Sunday, it helped the spinners to come into play. So, for today’s game, how the track plays will depend on whether groundsmen keep the worn-out pitch or not. With chances of bad weather affecting the game, captains of both teams may constantly look at their D/L sheets with an anxious look at the angry skies throughout the course of the match.

Key players

Daniel Vettori - When the bespectacled Vettori spun a web around Michael Atherton and company in 1996/97 in New Zealand, it was his enchanting flight and the prodigious turn he generated that caught the eye. But persistent back injuries have meant that he had to tinker with his action and look at different methods to outwit the batsman. Nowadays, Vettori’s bowling is all about using the crease and keeping the batsman on tenterhooks with clever changes off pace.

The veteran all-rounder has been battling with fitness issues in recent times. But in the two games he has played in the Champions trophy, he has made a huge impact. Both against Sri Lanka and Australia, he bowled parsimoniously.

Mitchell McClenaghan - At just 22, the left arm pacer gave a good account of himself in his debut season for Central Districts in 2008/09. But he was laid low by a career-threatening back injury. With guts and gumption, he has made a successful comeback from the injury, and has worked his way up the ladder. In a short period of time, he has become New Zealand’s go-to man when the captain is desperately in search of wickets in one-day cricket.

With 26 wickets to his name at a phenomenal average of 17.03, there is no doubt that McClenaghan has taken the cricketing world by storm. His forte doesn’t lie in bowling quick, but in clever changes of pace; using the left-armer’s angle to defeat the batsman by moving the ball both ways helps him take wickets. The icing on the cake for a New Zealand fan is that he is one of the leading wicket takers in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

X-factor

New Zealand’s top-class fielding unit - New Zealand has always been rated as one of the best fielding sides in the world. In the Champions Trophy, they have yet again made their presence felt in the field. The likes of Guptill, McCullum, Williamson and company seem to field like a pack of hungry wolves in the inner ring. Any batsman will think twice before taking a risky single against New Zealand.

New Zealand’s chances

In spite of New Zealand defeating England in the recently-concluded one-day series, contests between New Zealand and England usually are too tight to make a call. Even today, both teams look like they are evenly matched.

Possible line-up

There is a bit of concern over their front-line bowler Tim Southee’s fitness. If he doesn’t play, Bracewell may get a chance to play his first game of the tournament.

Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum (capt), Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Doug Bracewell/Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan