5 New Zealand players to watch out for in the 2015 World Cup

New Zealand’s romance with World Cup semifinals has continued ever since the inaugural edition in 1975. An impressive 6 semifinal appearances in 10 World Cup editions makes for a good reading. But, unfortunately, a semifinal appearance has been the best result that they have been able to achieve in all these years. For a young team peaking just before its home World Cup, this could be the best chance in years to go a couple of steps further and lay hands on the coveted trophy.A comprehensive 4-0 series win against India at home and a strong 3-2 victory against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed New Zealand’s current standing in world cricket. With the 2015 edition being seen as an evenly-matched edition with no clear favourites, the Kiwis’ chances would be dependent on how their key players perform.Let us have a look at five players who could help NZ create history:

#5 Trent Boult

The mainstay of Kiwis’ bowling attack, Trent Boult, forms a lethal new ball combination with Tim Southee. The year 2014 saw the duo complementing each other in Tests, proving to be a big catalyst in New Zealand's turnaround in Test cricket. With not much to show for in his ODI career, having taken just 10 wickets from 12 games, Boult will look to make use of the Sri Lanka series to get some confidence under his belt before the World Cup.

On a day when conditions support swing, Boult can prove to be a real handful against right-handed batsmen with his pretty special ability to get the ball back in. The New Zealand selectors, perhaps, gambled by picking Boult ahead of the in-form Matt Henry, but if it pays off, the NZ bowling attack will be a genuine force during the quadrennial event.