World Cup 2023 | SWOT Analysis of New Zealand

image-ln0byyznNew Zealand will try and maintain their performance from the last edition of the World Cup (Source: Twitter)

The 2023 ODI World Cup is just around the way to see its inception on October 5. Ten teams will be rumbling against one another in a round robin format and the last man standing will be awared with the prestigious World Cup Trophy. Just like every other teams, New Zealand are busy preparing for the mega-event in full throttle. They've announced a 15-man squad to everyone's surprise, a recuperating Kane Williamson has been adjudged the skipper of the side. 

The 33-year-old who may be featuring in his final ODI World Cup was shell-shocked with a knee injury while trying to restrict a boundary in the inital period of the 2023 Indian Premier League. After a well-paced recovery, it is learnt that Williamson will be able to participate in the upcoming event despite missing out initial few games.

Indeed, that's a positive news for the Black Caps army. But what more? Are there any other positives? Or what are the strength and weakness of the announced squad? We shall take a deep dive into all the necessities.

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New Zealand Squad for World Cup 2023: 

Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee (doubtful), Will Young, Mark Chapman.


Strength of New Zealand for World Cup 2023

A compact core 

If one looks at the New Zealand squad carefully, the side possess a core group that form together very well and on their day can topple any opposition.  Although their announced skipper, Kane Williamson is yet to be match fit after a ruptured ACL injury during the 2023 Indian Premier League, the 33-year-old recovered before time and is expected to participate for majority of the competition. 

He will be sucoured by the likes of Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham and Glenn Phillips, a core group in the batting department that takes care of any mishaps, collapses, et all. And if one speaks about the bowling department, Trent Boult is back for the Black Caps despite not owning a national contract. He will spearhead the bowling with Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra have complemented each other well in the last few bilateral series and form the nucleus of the spin attack. 


Leader Kane

When was the last time New Zealand made it to the knockouts of ICC tournaments so often? In their last four ICC event outings, the Kiwis made it to the knockoffs on three occasions with a World Test Championship mace under their belt. It came under the captaincy of Kane Williamson. In addition, New Zealand made the knockout cuts for all three times in the coveted events last three editions. 

Although it was Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum as the captain in 2011 and 2015, it was the 2019 edition when the Black Caps almost snatched the silverware in a super over final under Williamson's leadership. He is a calm captain who is aggressive and strategical by his moves. Definitely, Williamson's captaincy is one of the positives for New Zealand in this glitterati event.


Weakness of New Zealand for World Cup 2023

Lack of specialist for subcontinent conditions

Kane Williamson, the captain is the best player of spin for New Zealand followed by Tom Latham. But the skipper is likely to miss out a couple of matches at the start.  In the last two years, Glenn Phillips had 50% dot balls that he faced against spinners. He also got dismissed six times while scoring 187 runs from 216 balls against this type. Daryl Mitchell has scored paltry 34 runs in three innings playing in India in this format.  The likes of Will Young, Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman carry less experience in these conditions. Also, the Black Caps have been facing tough challenge in spin-friendly tracks of Bangladesh for a decade now. 


Opportunities for New Zealand for World Cup 2023

Getting off the Mark in case of ICC trophies

The Kiwis have been luring around various ICC trophies for a while now but owns less in the cabinet. They made to Finals of ODI World Cup on back-to-back editions but were victimised to losses against Australia and England in 2015 and 2019 respectively. However, very recently, New Zealand got to eclipse India in the World Test Championship 2019-2021 cycle Final and would take the confidence to do the daunting task. As one says, failure teaches the path of success, this could be a perfect opportunity for the Gary Stead-coached side to reign supreme.



Threats for New Zealand for World Cup 2023

Injury scare

Two of the most experienced characters in Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are battling against injury. The former is on the verge of completing recuperation while Southee face tough challenge for selection. He underwent a surgery  for  fractured thumb on Thursday i.e. September 21 and will be closely observed. 

Both national stars are supposed to participate in their fourth World Cup competition but have their own issues currently. In addition, New Zealand was supposed to be missing the service of speedster, Adam Milne who withstood a hamstring injury ahead of the England series. Luckily, he made a comeback in the final ODI against Bangladesh and touchwood on his progress. Henceforth, injury concerns and its management are the primary threat to this New Zealand side.