New Zealand’s Probable XI for Champions Trophy 2017

Published 05/15/2017, 11:09 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

With the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy just a few weeks away, Essentially Sports will give a detailed analysis of probable XI for all eight teams participating in the tournament. Here is the list of a possible New Zealand’s playing XI and the players who might get their name on the first team sheet.

Opening – Guptill, Latham

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Martin Guptill is at the peak of his career. Ever since he smashed a double-hundred in World Cup 2015, he never looked back. During the 2016-17 season he performed very well. He has played 21 matches and scored 972 runs with an average of 51. On the other hand Tom Latham, despite having so many chances could not prove himself. He has played 20 matches in the last year and managed to score only 485 runs. If we listen to stats then he shouldn’t be on the team but New Zealand does not have any other batsman who can open for the team.
Middle Order – Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Ronchi/Broom

Kane Williamson is one of the best batsmen in the world. He has scored 941 runs in the past year with an average of 39. Ross Taylor has performed very well in the previous season. He has played 15 matches and scored 570 runs with an excellent average of 43.
Now there is a big decision to make, whether Luke Ronchi should play or Neil Broom should play.

Ronchi is New Zealand’s main wicket-keeper so if they keep him out, Latham would be doing wicket-keeping but Latham is a part-time keeper. Neil Broom has an average of 49 while Luke Ronchi has an average of just 16. So if they play Broom, they will have to leave their ‘Behind the Wicket’ fate in the hand of a part-time keeper.

All-rounders – Neesham, Grandhomme

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

James Neesham is playing well at the moment. He has played 16 innings in the past year. He scored 468 runs with an average of 33. The other options for this slot would be Corey Anderson but he is out of form so Colin de Grandhomme would be the first choice.
Colin has played 6 innings this year. He has an average of 32 which is way good for an all-rounder. He also has taken 7 wickets.

Bowlers – Santner, Bolt, Southee, McClenaghan

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

For the spin attack, they will have Mitchell Santner. Santner showed us in Asia Cup and World Cup 2016 what he can do if a proper spin track is there to bowl. Other than Santner they don’t have any spinner in their squad so they will have to include him.


Trent Boult and Tim Southee will open the bowling attack while Mitchell McClenaghan would be a good choice for middle overs. McClenaghan has shown his bowling skills in this IPL so the management will surely select him for the starting XI.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Ajay Pilaniya

77Articles

One take at a time