New Zealand will be one of the desired teams at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA in June. The Kane Williamson-led side would fancy themselves going the distance with a settled and experienced squad on offer. One should back this Kiwi side to come out trumps and play a solid brand of cricket. All eyes will be on skipper Williamson who suits better in the New Zealand set-up than a four-player foreign aspect in the Indian Premier League. His leadership attributes will help the Black Caps immensely.

What makes New Zealand an exciting side is their spirit and proper attitude. The Kiwis have their bases covered across departments and one feels the options of some big T20 guns will enhance their reputation. New Zealand have done well in ICC tournaments of late but the trophy is something that has been missing. So this is the area Williamson and his men will focus on and take things as they come.

NZ will open their campaign against Afghanistan in Group C. All of their group-stage games are in the West Indies (Guyana and Trinidad). On slower surfaces, New Zealand cannot be taken lightly. They are a strong side on pitches where things slow down a tad bit. In 2021, they reached the final in UAE before losing to Australia. New Zealand are a well balanced side and there are hopes riding on them. One expects them to have a fair shot at the trophy this time around.

Here are the complete details of England’s squad.

A look at New Zealand’s 15-member provisional ICC T20 World Cup squad

Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears

Mitchell Santner is New Zealand’s trump card

Star spin all-rounder Mitchell Santner can make the difference for New Zealand. He is a complete player. He fits into the side handing them four definite overs of quality spin. Santner can bat as well, and this is a positive for NZ, given they can use him at number six or seven. Santner has played 192 T20 matches, claiming 195 wickets at 24.01. His economy rate of 7.03 stands out. With 2188 runs scored, Santner provides meat in this side. He strikes at 132-plus and averages 23-plus.

Strengths of the New Zealand cricket team

Devon Conway will be raring to have a crack at the top. Conway missed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with an injury. He is a quality scorer and has proved his mettle across formats. An average of 41-plus and over 5500 runs makes Conway the right player to lead the line. Finn Allen can open alongside Conway to bring that left-right hand combination. Allen strikes close to 170 in T20s and can be the aggressive player at the top. In Williamson, New Zealand got a pedigree. He will play to his tune and with several aggressors around him, the mindset will be to play himself in and work as per the situation. Williamson is a class player and is New Zealand’s second-highest scorer in T20Is with 2500-plus runs.

Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips make up that strong middle order. Chapman enjoyed a strong run of form in the T20Is against Pakistan recently. With over 3100 T20 runs, Chapman will back himself to provide impetus. With Mitchell, NZ got another big personality. He can go big and play his shots. Mitchell can also lend his voice with a few overs if needed. He was recently seen in the IPL 2024 season for Chennai Super Kings. In Phillips, New Zealand has versatility. He owns over 6000 T20 runs and strikes more than 140. Phillips can don the role at number six. His athleticism and ability to chip in with the ball makes him stand out.

In Jimmy Neesham, Michael Bracewell, and Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand get three all-round options. Bracewell and Neesham are both finishers. Ravindra is Conway’s backup at the top for the Kiwis.

Santner and Ish Sodhi are NZ’s primary spin options. Sodhi is his side’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is whereas Santner follows suit. They can be clutched on surfaces which can aid slowness. Both possess a bundle of experience. NZ’s three-man pace attack in the starting XI will be Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Tim Southee. Left-arm pacer Boult can strike big in the power play. Henry has quality under his sleeve. Southee is the leading wicket-taker in T20I history and his experience will be a handful. Lockie Ferguson is New Zealand’s fourth option in the pace department. He was seen playing for RCB in the IPL 2024 season.

Weaknesses of the New Zealand cricket team

It’s pretty hard to find any flaws in this New Zealand side. One minor weak link can be Conway not playing much cricket in recent times, given the injury. GT hardly used Williamson in the IPL and he could be a bit rusty. So Allen and Chapman have to work more in this aspect with the top four in batting in mind. Ravindra is a promising gun but is T20 his forte? He is shier compared to Conway’s quality.

The bowling of NZ is strong, and barring Henry’s economy rate in T20s (death overs), everything else looks well-oiled. You have Boult setting up the power play with Santner-Sodhi duo taking over the middle overs. Two of Ferguson, Henry and Southee will have to take the responsibility at the death.

The Finish looks decent too. Phillips is the key figure here. Then there is Bracewell as well, both as a cover or a main asset. Santner is the fulcrum and holds the load. NZ are one of the sides that can go big and get you the 200-plus totals and also work things to perfection on slower surfaces. So the balance is there.

Author’s view: New Zealand can unsettle teams with their balance

New Zealand are the most balanced side heading into the T20 World Cup. Their bowling is as good as the batting. You have champion performers in Boult, Southee, Sodhi and Santner with the ball. And then the utility all-rounders hand the side plenty of options. The batting has its merits. It’s not a one-dimensional batting unit. You have the presence of left-handed batters like Conway, Chapman and Santner in the top 7. Neesham and Ravindra are lefties, too, on the bench. So, the combination factor works perfectly. You also have replacements so that is a major bonus that works for the team. So with the balance on offer, NZ can unsettle sides and cause issues.

Players to watch out for

Kane Williamson: The star batter cannot be shut down. With 2547 runs in T20Is at a healthy average of 33.96, Williamson can bat with ease, allowing the players around him the time to go big. Williamson can bat deep and find the gaps for his runs in addition to rotating the strike well. With 6400-plus T20 runs, Williamson remains a crucial player. His captaincy can make a real difference.

Trent Boult: The Kiwi magician with the new ball – Boult – will be tremendous in the first six overs. As per ESPNcricinfo, Boult owns 98 wickets in the power play, and his economy rate is 7.16. Overall, Boult owns 254 T20 wickets at 26.13. His economy rate is 8.10. Boult averages 21.44 in overs 16-20. He can chip in here as well.

New Zealand’s schedule for the T20 World Cup

June 8, New Zealand vs Afghanistan – Providence Stadium, Guyana (5:00 AM IST)

June 13, West Indies vs New Zealand – Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad (6:00  AM IST)

June 15, New Zealand vs Uganda – Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad (6:00 AM IST)

New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea – Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad (8:00 PM IST)

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