Can Black Caps run the gauntlet in Champions Trophy? - New Zealand team preview
Under new leadership, the Kiwis are out to end a 25-year men's trophy title drought.
Led by new white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps are undoubtedly one of the tournament’s genuine title contenders.
New Zealand are involved in the tournament opener against hosts Pakistan, which will prove pivotal in their chances of progressing to the semi-final stage.
Along with Pakistan, the Kiwis’ group includes India and Bangladesh, ensuring immediate urgency to avoid defeat.
They enter the Champions Trophy in strong form and boast match-winners right the way through their ranks.
The Black Caps will look to hoist a major white-ball trophy for the first time in 25 years, after beating India in the final of the ICC Knockout in 2000.
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New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Group Stage Fixtures:
19 February - Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
24 February - Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
2 March - India vs New Zealand, Dubai
Player to Watch: Kane Williamson
Despite passing down the captaincy to Santner, Williamson’s importance to New Zealand remains undeniable.
Flashy young guns tend to attract large doses of attention in cricket’s shorter formats, but don’t underestimate the role of a steady-minded veteran in the high pressure environment of tournament cricket on the international stage.
Williamson is the only member of the squad still left from the team’s 2013 campaign in England, but is still producing at a high level, coming off a 133* (from 113 balls) against South Africa in Lahore recently. His innings led the Black Caps to victory, qualifying them for the final of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series that doubles as warm-up cricket for the Champions Trophy.
That was the 34-year-old’s 14th ODI ton, which also saw him pass 7000 One-Day International runs. Kane is key.