2007 Cricket World Cup Squad Preview - New Zealand

by user Alex Holowczak

New Zealand have a strong side at the 2007 Cricket World Cup and they hope to win it for the first time.

They have a strong group however, with England, Kenya and Canada in it, and after defaulting against Kenya in 2003, they’ll be anxious to put that right in the Caribbean.

Stephen Fleming

Type: Batsman (opener), Captain
Fleming is the sole New Zealand star. He is a great captain, and he needs to be at his best to give his country a chance of winning.

Shane Bond

Type: Bowler
Shane Bond is a frustrating player. Arguably the premier fast bowler in the world, but he always seems to be injured at the crucial times. Nevertheless, if he stays fit, he can carry New Zealand a long way. Useful late innings hitter too.

James Franklin

Type: All Rounder
Undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s best players, Franklin is yet to develop his talent in the One Day game. His ability merits a place in this squad.

Peter Fulton

Type: Batsman (opener)
Fulton has become a reliable if not excellent opener for New Zealand, but he should play a key role in starting the innings along with Fleming.

Mark Gillespie

Type: Bowler
Gillespie is renowned in New Zealand domestic cricket as a great bowler at the end of an innings. He hasn’t shown this form at International level just yet, but big things are expected of him.

Brendan McCullum

Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper New Zealand’s Number 1 wicketkeeper, McCullum hasn’t shown his Test form in the game just yet, but he is still good enough to grace this team. Invented the “over the head” shot in the 2003 competition.

Craig McMillan

Type: All Rounder
One of New Zealand’s top Test batsmen, McMillan also bowls excellent medium pace that can tie a side down. A useful cricketer to have in your team.

Michael Mason

Type: Bowler
Brilliant in New Zealand domestic cricket, like Gillespie, Mason needs to show it in the International game.

Jacob Oram

Type: All Rounder
One of the top Test batsmen New Zealand have, he has been unable to transfer this into One Day success. He is more than useful with the ball, and he should play a big role in this tournament.

Jeetan Patel

Type: Bowler
Patel has become New Zealand’s Number 2 spinner to Vettori, despite mediocrity in first class cricket.

Scott Styris

Type: All Rounder
Styris is another top batsman that can bowl medium pacers, and is in much the same mould as McMillan and Oram. He is as such very valuable to his side.

Ross Taylor

Type: Batsman
Taylor has been a revelation in his brief time with the New Zealand team. Expect him to be one of the best in the world in the next decade. He could be a revelation in this competition.

Daryl Tuffey

Type: Bowler
After being injured for two years, Tuffey won back his place through consistent first-class performances, but mainly through an injury to Kyle Mills. He has a knack for taking wickets in the first over of his spell, so he should start the tournament for New Zealand.

Daniel Vettori

Type: All Rounder
Vettori is not the player he once was when originally selected at 18. A decade on, and a stress fracture later, Vettori is currently rated as the best spinner in the world. He has developed into a key late innings hitter with the bat in both forms of cricket.

Lou Vincent

Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper
Included as a backup keeper to McCullum, Vincent is a good batsman that can help out with the gloves if necessary. A useful addition to the squad.

Strengths

• Lots of All Rounders give them a long batting line up and lots of options with the ball
• Bond and Taylor could be great players in this competition

Weaknesses

• No real established stars to inspire their batting
• Struggled in recent times
• Chris Harris should be in the side for his fifth World Cup – ahead of Patel

Verdict

This is a team. There are no players that will dominate, and they are all about as good as each other at various different things. As such, if they have a bad day, there is no real flash of genious to drag them out of the mire, unless Bond and Taylor are inspired. They are good for the Super Eight stage, but it would be surprising to see them go any further. The game against England will be a good match, if New Zealand win, they may have a chance of sneaking through to the Semi Finals. I can’t see it though.

Icecool

1019 days ago

Score 0

They will not win the finals. However there is a chance they will get to Semis. They can give a good game for any team provided on a good day for them. If Flemming can get runs on board they will do well. Not slow scoring :-)

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1015 days ago

Score 0

Check out this quote from cricinfo dated today:

"After completing his transformation from out-of-favour allrounder to national hero with a match-winning century, Craig McMillan said New Zealand could go to the World Cup without fearing any target. McMillan was a crucial figure in the final two Chappell-Hadlee Trophy matches as New Zealand overhauled scores of 336 at Eden Park and 346 at Hamilton to secure the country's first cleansweep over Australia."

I wouldn't write out of the final just yet Icecool.

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

1006 days ago

Score 0

Who is the turkey who wrote this article, cause I hope its not the same guy who said England would get through to the Semi's!. NZ has a great shot at this world cup, especially due to them being a team and not a bunch of stars. They have shown time and again (4 -41, last one dayer against Aussie) that they don't need a superstar to get them out of trouble and over the finish line. Mate if you are going to write about a sport make sure you actually know what sport you are writting about

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