World Cup 2015: Probable New Zealand XI

The Kiwis are ateam which always used their minimal resources effectively to reach the semifinals of the ICC CricketWorld Cupbefore faltering at the stage.Their impressive record ofreaching the knockouts should not beunder-estimatedas it is definitely not easy to maintain that consistency at thebiggestcricket tournament. With them having the luxury of playing at home this time, it willfurther encourage the likes of Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor to make full use of the opportunities.With both of them intheir 30s, the two most experienced batsmen will look to break their knockoutjinx in what might probably be their last World Cup. With an ideal bowling unit that possessmore depth than before, one can expect New Zealand to go the distance.

#1 Martin Guptill

He is someone who is not considered by the world as an feared opener, but he surely is one who can destroy the opposition single-handedly on his day. His 189* against England at Southampton last season helping his side to post 359 is an example to his capabilities.

The two-toed (left foot) Kiwi right-hander will be keen to score more than the 262 runs he scored at the last ICC World Cup in the Indian sub-continent 2011.

#2 Brendon McCullum

With Jesse Ryder most likely not to be considered for selection again, courtesy, his late night bar sessions, the captain himself should take charge of the opening job as Kane Willamson at No.3 will be ideal for New Zealand’s plans.

Someone with a reputation to be equipped with fast hands, McCullum will benefit by batting in the powerplay and him dancing down the wicket strategy might be very a good ploy in his own backyard where swing could be negated by his quick feets.

Not many sides can have a plan against these two openers in their prime until they themselves give it away.

#3 Kane Williamson

One of the most complete batsmen in world cricket at present.

The 24-year old is en route to breaking many batting records for New Zealand in future and is the right man to occupy the important slot in the batting order. With both openers being attack minded, New Zealand will want someone to be techincally strong at this place and Williamson is the right man for the job.

His rise in recent times has managed to cover up his side’s batting failure on more than one occasion.

#4 Ross Taylor

Who else at No.4 but Taylor – the highest run-scorer for New Zealand at the last World Cup (324 runs at 64.80)

He is someone who has played international cricket for more than 8 years and to have led the side for rare Test wins against Australia and Sri Lanka away from home and is the right man to bat in the middle overs. This enables him to take his time to build his innings and can dominate spin with his trademark slog sweeps in pitches that are not that conductive to tweakers.

#5 Corey Anderson

This youngster was alwaysis tipped to be the next big thing of New Zealand cricket, but he managed to live up to that potential only recently when he broke the record for the fastest ODI century.

The left-hander will also add stability to the New Zealand team and can hold firm if required. Having him at No.5 gives the blackcaps more options below the order and with two more specialist batsmen waiting in the wings it gives a free license to this man to go after the bowling wihout any pressure.

He will more or less be the X-factor that decides New Zealand’s fortunes in the tournament.

#6 Luke Ronchi

With McCullum and his back problems added with Watling’s patient innings building policy, Ronchi is the only hope to take up the role behind the stumps.

The 33-year-old wicket-keeper batsmen has been the someone who scores quick fire 20s and 30s for the Kiwi side and he will be looking forward to make some more runs to finish matches for his side.

#7 James Neesham

Second of the two genuine all-rounders in the side and will be more than a handy batsmen at no.7. Along with Ronchi, he can finish close matches and also chip in a few valuable overs for the side that can relish the luxury of playing two all-rounders in the side.

The left-hander can easily make bowlers alter their lengths with his powerful strikes and the Kiwi side should make sure he stays as confident as he is at present after his back-to-back Test centuries.

#8 Tim Southee

The right-arm pacer will be the leader of the talented pack of seamers that New Zealand has at its helm. The right-arm medium pacer who ended the 2011 edition of the tournament with 18 wickets as the third highest among the bowlers will be looking forward to continue his impressive record in 2015 too.

He can exploit the batsmen’s weakness against swing and keep the run flow under check even when the conditions favour batting. His form will make the difference between the side chasing 270 and 300.

#9 Ish Sodhi

The 21-year-old is yet to make his ODI debut and you can expect him to be playing the limited over format as Nathan McCullum hasn’t made any kind of match winning contributions in recent times. McCullum has played 67 ODIs and yet to cross the 1000 run mark and the 50 wicket mark – not convincing to be continuing in the side as the lead spinner.

Mark Craig, despite being 27, has played only 3 List A matches that rules him out of contention.

But I personally feel that if Kane Williamson is cleared with his suspect bowling action, New Zealand should consider going in with him and Taylor as the spinning options and include another pacer. Yes, they have 5 already but they can get on board some raw pace, which Anderson and Neesham might not bring. Hamish Bennett or Matt Henry might help the purpose.

#10 Mitchell McClenaghan

The strong, tall, well built left-arm pacer has been one of the highlights for the success of the Black Caps over the last season with 48 wickets in just 22 matches. He was within sight of breaking the world record as the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets but his sudden slump in form erased his ambitions.

Come the World Cup, he will be ready to contribute with wickets both at the start and at the death overs that gives the New Zealand captain some breathing space to execute his plans clearly.

#11 Trent Boult

The left-arm fast bowler has been one among the promising personalities in the Kiwi bowling line-up for the last 2 seasons. Known to operate at a steady pace, Boult can bring that extra bit of risk factor for the batsmen to think twice before coming on to the front foot.

New Zealand have been protecting Neil Wagner from the limited over formats and Kyle Mills will be 35 by the time the World Cup starts. But still Mills’ experience will be worthy if his body co-operates.