World Cup 2019: Three problems New Zealand have to fix right now

#1 Opening partnership woes

Martin Guptill.

New Zealand’s batting problems start at the top of the order. Their opening pair was the least successful during the group stage. Their exploits make for dismal reading: 299 runs in 16 innings.

Martin Guptill featured in all of New Zealand’s group matches but had two different partners. Colin Munro was Guptill’s first ally. He scored only 125 runs in the first seven matches and was dropped. Henry Nicholls replaced Munro but performed equally poorly (eight runs in two innings).

New Zealand should back Guptill to find form. He can be devastating in the knockout phase if he gets going. But they need more clarity on who his companion will be on Tuesday. Will the selectors persist with Nicholls or go back to the fumbling Munro? Or will they select Tom Blundell, the reserve batsman?

Either way, it is one vital area where they are greatly lagging behind the other semi-finalists.

Also see – World cup winners captains list