Yes, New Zealand served a huge warning to the rest of the nations in this World Cup. They announced to the world that they were also in the reckoning to become the ultimate champion. Something triggers the New Zealanders when it comes to ICC tournaments. They punch above their weight quite often in almost every ICC tournament ever since the turn of the millennium. Whenever, an ICC trophy is about to commence, there is always the talk about the 4 semi-finalists and it will usually be the 3 suspects, India, Australia, England and the 4th one to be decided among the rest. New Zealand have repeatedly shown that they belong to this level and they must not be taken lightly.
In a sense, New Zealand is the antithesis of India. Despite a small population and an even smaller cricketing population, they have managed to win a couple of ICC tournaments. One in 2000 and one in 2020 when they won the WTC title. India on the otherhand, despite a large population and a substantial part of that population playing the game, is yet to win a single ICC title in 10 years. Ofcourse, this is for another day. Today, it is about New Zealand.
Where were the bowlers for New Zealand?
New Zealand entered the game with just 3 bowlers and Ish Sodhi wasn’t one of them. They only had 4 fit bowlers with Tim Southee nursing an injury and Lockie Ferguson with another that may result in him missing the tournament. Only 3 bowlers to start the biggest tournament in ODI cricket. Yet, these bowlers managed to contain a batting lineup that scores in excess of 325 for fun. England has redefined how ODI cricket must be played. They are the benchmark over the last 8 years but they never found the fluency that is usually attached to them.
The absence of Ben Stokes was a blow but when it comes to flamboyant batting, it is not just Stokes. It is the entire side. Against, this New Zealand side, they call came a cropper. If not for some lower-order hitting, England may not even have reached 275. New Zealand’s bowling was disciplined without any fanfare and it will be boosted by the availability of Tim Southee from the next game.
Rachin Ravindra and Conway
What can be said? It was brutal batting. Against a side that prides itself on playing Bazball cricket, these two showed the mirror to the English side. They never stopped playing their shots. Even when only a few runs were required, these two continued with their aggressive method. They have given a gigantic NRR and if they can win the maximum number of games, it will be almost impossible to defeat them on NRR. In the end, they won with 82 balls remaining. It is rare for a side to win with so many balls to spare.
Rachin was confidence personified throughout his innings. Never once did he flinch from the challenge. Mark Wood’s 149KMPH brute was dispatched over the square leg with nonchalant ease. Chris Woakes was read pretty well by Rachin and was duly deposited. This young man is a serious talent. Perhaps, New Zealand is making a mistake by not developing him as a batsman who can bowl if needed rather than the other way around.
Rachin will remember his innings because his Indian parents flew all the way over from New Zealand.
“A hundred’s always special,” he said. “But in terms of being able to perform in India, it is pretty cool. It was nice to have my parents there watching: they flew over from New Zealand
Devon Conway is an enigma. Not so long ago, when he made his Test debut, he batted for so long that the earth had already come around multiple times. Now, he has turned himself into a white-ball beast. He gets off quite quickly before anyone realises it.
With the expected inclusion of Williamson, New Zealand will only become much stronger.
What about England?
For a start, I think they got their batting order wrong. I just cannot see Moeen Ali walking in at number 5. He is not a middle-order batsman. At best, he can bat lower down the order if at all he needs to play. This team has far too many allrounders for their liking. I just do not see Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali all in the same team. None of them is a genuine allrounder. Woakes’s record outside of England is abysmal. I would have preferred Recce Topley instead of Curran or Woakes. Allrounders are alright but they must contribute in one area strongly. None of the above 3 are capable of doing that. They may have their day but not so consistently.
Brooks is an unknown quantity in this format. Liam Livingstone batted way down the order. If Stokes is back, one of these players will have to make way. I think that will be Brooks. On the otherhand, Brooks can be made to open. He prefers to smash the ball and there is no better spot than the top.
England do not have to panic. They will have to get their combination correct. It must have been done before the tournament and not during. Nevertheless, it is not too late. It is a long tournament with plenty of opportunities.
Wrapping up New Zealand served a huge warning
Other sides may well take note of New Zealand. They are here and will not be satisfied until they can win the tournament that they lost narrowly to England in 2019.