T20 World Cup 2022: New Zealand Team Preview

Kane Williamson-led New Zealand will start their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign against hosts Australia on October 22 at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The runner-ups of the last edition now will be looking to clinch their first T20 World Cup title this time.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: England Team Preview

This is a golden era for New Zealand cricket. It won the first World Test Championship in June of last year to go with that collection of finals appearances in the limited-overs formats. New Zealand will compete with Australia, Afghanistan, England, and two other qualifying teams in the Super 12 stage. Let's take a look at their strengths and weaknesses below.

Strengths

To use a baseball metaphor, New Zealand seems to have all bases covered. Few teams will come to the tournament with a more balanced squad. New Zealand has batting solidity from Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, hard-hitters in Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, and Jimmy Neesham, outstanding pace bowling from Trent Boult and Tim Southee along with the express pace of Lockie Ferguson, and top-class white ball spinners in Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner.

It has the all-round talents of Santner, Neesham, Mitchell, and the recent discovery of Michael Bracewell. It also is one of the world's best fielding teams and has finals experience: only three players who took part in the 2021 World Cup final are not returning.

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Weakness

The glib observation would be that New Zealand's weakness is winning the white ball finals. They're good at getting to the finals, but not good at winning them. New Zealand has no obvious weakness in personnel or balance but can be accused of inconsistency and a tendency to play to the level of its opposition.

In a tough group alongside England, Australia and Afghanistan the Black Caps can't afford an off day. Injuries to players such as Daryl Mitchell and Lockie Ferguson are a current concern. Captain Kane Williamson also has recently been below his best form but posted a half-century in the narrow loss to Pakistan in Friday's tri-series final at Christchurch.

First, let's take a look at the final New Zealand squad for the mega event in Australia, then we will take a look at their schedule in the tournament.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan Team Preview

T20 World Cup 2022: New Zealand Squad

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Now, check out the Kiwis' complete T20 World Cup 2022 schedule below.

T20 World Cup 2022: New Zealand Schedule