ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Strongest New Zealand Playing XI
New Zealand is currently facing India in a 5-match ODI series which will be followed by a 3-match T20I series. This will certainly be a good test for them ahead of the World Cup. They have a lot of chances of winning the World Cup this time around and will be top contenders.
The return of Martin Guptill and Mitchell Santner from injury will certainly boost the team before the World Cup. They had a good year in terms of ODIs and Tests and narrowly missed out on a series win against England while managing to beat Pakistan and Sri Lanka. After India's series, Bangladesh will tour New Zealand before the IPL and there won't be any ODI match practice for them after that before the World Cup.
They came very close to getting their maiden World Cup title in 2015 but faltered at the final hurdle. The current team is no less than the 2015 team which boasted of a plethora of stars like Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, who have since retired.
Let's take a look at the strongest playing XI which New Zealand can field in the World Cup.
Openers- Martin Guptill and Colin Munro
The opening pair of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will be the best for the World Cup. They have combined well and needless chopping and changing will affect the great chemistry the side possesses. Guptill rightfully earns his place in this team due to his current form and his great records in ICC Tournaments, especially the World Cup. He was brilliant to watch in the last World Cup and though he has grown older, the ability to devastate the opponents still remains.
Colin Munro will be the wildcard in this play but most cricketing fans know of his destructive ability. Though he is more of a T20 player, Munro has adapted fairly well to ODI cricket. If he can somehow play out the probing opening spells in England where the ball will swing a lot, Munro who is a good player of spin can easily dominate the spinners, for some the surfaces in England will not assist spinners too much.