After making it to the finals of ICC World Cup 2015, New Zealand cricket team would be eyeing on the trophy this time to end their trophy drought. In the World Cup 2019, New Zealand under the captaincy of Kane Williamson, are one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
The Black Caps have featured in six ICC World Cup semi-finals and appeared only in one final four years ago where they suffered a heavy defeat to Australia.
The Kiwis have the perfect combination of attacking as well as defensive batsmen and under Williamson’s leadership they are expected to lift the ICC World Cup 2019 trophy in England and Wales.
New Zealand Cricket Team:
Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Colin De Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.
Head Coach: Gary Stead
ICC World Cup Track Record:
| ICC World Cup edition | Standing |
| 1975 | Semi Finals |
| 1979 | Semi Finals |
| 1983 | Group Stage |
| 1987 | Group Stage |
| 1992 | Semi Finals |
| 1996 | Quarter Finals |
| 1999 | Semi Finals |
| 2003 | Super Six |
| 2007 | Semi Finals |
| 2011 | Semi Finals |
| 2015 | Runners Up |
Although, their mainstays — Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori — have hung up their boots and under Williamson, the side has often struggled to find their feet but they are still considered as the favourites for the upcoming world cup event.
In the last two years, top-order has become their strength. Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Williamson and Taylor have scored the bulk of their runs and when they failed, New Zealand have done poorly.
The Black Caps lack a finisher. Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme have been poor in this role. However, Mitchell Santner, at times, has done well.
New Zealand will begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on June 1 at the Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff.
Ross Taylor is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer in ODIs and has been in top form. At No 4, he has scored at a staggering average of 74.13 this year, including a century and four fifties in 11 innings. The highest wicket-taker in the last edition (along with Mitchell Starc of Australia), Boult is New Zealand’s ace in the bowling department. He has been in good form in the ODIs, scalping 21 wickets in the last 10 games at an economy rate of just 4.56.
With all 10 teams at the World Cup part of the round-robin group stage, each team will play a total of nine matches before the knockout stages, starting July 9. The top four teams will qualify for the knockouts.
