ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Team Review - New Zealand

New Zealand Squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ross Taylor

Batting -

Strengths

The New Zealand batting line up is one of the most balanced heading into the World Cup of 2015. They have the swashbuckling Brendon McCullum at the top while also having lower order arsenal in Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi. Kane Williamson is there to provide solidity and he is presently in the form of his life. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham can do significant damage as well if they manage to get in.

Weakness

Collapses are always around the corner when we are talking about Kiwi batting. McCullum, his 2014 achievements notwithstanding, generally struggles for consistency. Ross Taylor, their middle order lynch pin is going through a terrible rut as well. Grant Elliot, selected ahead of an inform Neesham, may prove detrimental to their chances as well.

Rating - 7.5/10

Bowling - 

Strengths

The fast bowling attack of the New Zealanders is second to none. They have Southee and Boult with the new ball and the extreme pace of Milne and McClenaghan to back up. The wily old Daniel Vettori is also back for the black caps to round up spin bowling. The fact that Matt Henry is not in this squad tells us a thing or two about the fast bowling riches that New Zealand possess right now.

Weakness

Trent Boult has done extremely well in Test Matches but is relatively inexperienced in ODI cricket. Milne and McClenaghan are susceptible to frequent injuries and might also leak runs if they are not accurate.

Rating - 8/10

Fielding - 

Strengths

New Zealand are, without an iota of a doubt, the best fielding side in this ICC World Cup 2015. They are like panthers on the prowl, in the 30 yard circle or in the outfield. Guptill, McCullum brothers, Kane Willianson and Anderson will surely save 30-40 runs collectively for their bowlers in every single match.

Weakness

This is a group that becomes better with pressure, so I cannot point any fingers and point out any weakness.

Rating - 9/10

Overall Summary

I believe that this may be the best for the Black Caps to finally win a World Cup. They will play all their matches at home (bar the final) and will be backed by their passionate home crowd. They also have a very well rounded squad which is more then capable of levelling shoulders with any other team taking part!

Rating - 8/10

Given Below are the other Team Reviews that I have done

Australia
Bangladesh
England
India
Pakistan
South Africa
Sri Lanka
West Indies