Preview - Team New Zealand

by Saurabh Somani



They were losing semi-finalists last year, pipping hosts South Africa to the last four on net run rate, though most people thought that South Africa were hard done by. However, it is what transpires on the field that counts, and New Zealand will aim to at least repeat last year's performance.

Strengths: An explosive top-order in McCullum, Ryder and Taylor and useful all-round players such as Jacob Oram, Scott Styris and Vettori. Their side is well led by Vettori, who had a first-class apprenticeship under Stephen Fleming - widely acknowledged as one of the best thinkers of the game. Their biggest strength remains their ability to fight as a unit, often punching above their weight. Looked at man-to-man and with statistics, they don't have any outstanding talent such as a Pietersen or a Sehwag, but on the field, New Zealand, more than any other team symbolizes the meaning of 'playing as a team'. Their fielding has always been of the highest quality and with matches often turning on one brilliant catch or a direct run-out, or sometimes even runs saved on the field, this is one area that they will bank on in close matches. Most of their top stars have had some good experience in the IPL, and are primed for the Twenty20 format.

Weaknesses: The lack of any batsman who can power the innings individually after the top order. This could undermine them heavily if, for example, they are asked to bat on a green pitch under overcast conditions. If their top order fails, their bits-and-pieces players may not have the wherewithal to put up a challenging score. They also lack a genuine match-winning bowler, who can be Vettori's go-to man for a wicket. Vettori is their best bowler, and while he is a wonderful support bowler - probably amongst the best - he cannot take the mantle of a strike bowler in the way a Malinga or a Zaheer Khan or a Brett Lee can.

Opportunities: Their team-work can be put to good use to surprise and ambush opponents. Their best bet lies in approaching the match with guerrilla tactics - using the limited artillery of their bits-and-pieces players effectively, and in Vettori they have the general to do just that. One or two over spells to break a batsman's rhythm, tiger-like fielding in the circle and swift patrolling of the boundaries are the way to go.

Threats: They lack real flair in their bowling, and on some days they are bound to come up against a destructive batsman who is on song. If that happens at a critical stage or in a knock-out match, then they have no resources to fall back upon. However good your fielding is, if Yusuf Pathan is hitting every second ball out of the park, there isn't much you can do. They also cannot afford injuries to any of their players, as there is not adequate bench strength.

The Squad: Daniel Vettori (c), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.