New Zealand have a record of being punchers above their weight in the global tournaments but such has been their improvement over the last five years they are now expected to contend in every series and tournament that they enter. A run to the final of the 50 over World Cup last year only heightened the expectation.
Form
New Zealand easily saw off Pakistan and Sri Lanka in T20 series’ back home earlier in the year but these conditions are likely to test them much more. They would have been serious players in this tournament if they were in the other group but a lack of consistency could count against them.
That said they are a very well balanced side although I can’t help but think Brendon McCullum is going to be a massive miss for them. He would be for any side. The lack of a genuine world class spinner since Daniel Vettori retired would be another big concern.
Key men
Kane Williamson now skippers the side and he is going to be vital in this tournament. He is one of the best batsmen in the world and he’ll need to show that. His off spin might become a canny weapon he longer New Zealand remain in the competition as well.
These conditions might not be ideally suited to Trent Boult but he will need to make them suit him because he and Tim Southee are a large part of what the Kiwis offer with the ball. In swinging conditions Boult is as good as there is. This will be a test of how good an all round bowler he is.
Fixtures
Tues Mar 15 – Super 10 Group 2: India vs New Zealand (Nagpur)
Fri Mar 18 – Super 10 Group 2: Australia vs New Zealand (Dharamsala)
Tues Mar 22 – Super 10 Group 2: New Zealand vs Pakistan (Mohali)
Sat Mar 26 – Super 10 Group 2: Bangladesh vs New Zealand (Kolkata)
Stats
Overall T20I record: P88 W42 L39 T5 NR2
Last 10 results (most recent last): WLWLWWLWWW
Record vs group opponents:
Vs Australia: P5 W0 L4 T1
Vs Bangladesh: P3 W3 L0
Vs India: P4 W4 L0
Vs Pakistan: P14 W6 L8
Record batting first: P42 W21 L17 T3 NR1
Record batting second: P46 W21 L22 T2 NR1
Odds
Tournament odds: 11/1 (Paddy Power)
Group 2 odds: 6/1 (General)
Team bets
Once again there isn’t a clear standout piece of value in the bowler market so I’m going to head to the batting market for New Zealand here where I’m going with a bit of a gut feel over any sound statistics.
Martin Guptill is in good touch but he just looks a little bit short while Kane Williamson has enough to worry about captaining the side in a major tournament for the first time. That could leave the door open for Colin Munro.
Ever since Munro came into the side he has been a real threat. He hit half centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan back home earlier in the year and he has already notched up a 50 against Sri Lanka in a warm up match on this tour.
Conditions here should really him. He can get himself in a fixed stance and hit through the line which power hitters like him look to do. He showed in that series against Sri Lanka that he can belt spin a million miles and we know he is fine with the pace on the ball so at 4/1 he could be the value alternative to the front two here.
Back C.Munro Top New Zealand Tournament Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 5.00 with Boylesports
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