13 Feb 2011, Auckland: Preview of New Zealand

Predicted win odds: 30%

New Zealand have gone through a recent horror run in ODIs after losing successive series in Bangladesh and then at home to the erratic Pakistani’s recently. They have a good World Cup record having reached the Semifinals in 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999 and in 2007 where they lost to Sri Lanka.

They have a World Cup win-loss record of 35-26, with 1 No Result. They are led by allrounder Daniel Vettori and new coach John Wright who took over from Mark Greatbach after the debacle in Bangladesh. The batting firepower revolves around Brendon McCullum – with a strong support cast of Ross Taylor and in the inform Martin Guptill.

Strengths: New Zealand has a long batting line up with a group of allrounders capable of boosting a score late in the game. They also have a quality spinner in Vettori and are a crack fielding team, well drilled by their coach John Wright who knows Indian conditions well.

Weaknesses: Lack of results in recent ODIs have dented their confidence. They are also struggling with several injuries that may hamper their early preparation.

New Zealand World Cup squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock

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