New Zealand Preview
On home soil, New Zealand (NZ) will aim for its second world cup title.
Previous Results
Champions: (2000)
In 2000, when New Zealand hosted the Women’s Cricket World, the White Ferns won the title by four runs over Australia.
In the last world cup edition (2017), New Zealand ended up being in 5th position on the pointable. They won three matches, lost three, and a no-result match knocked them out of the tournament.
Current Form
New Zealand has lost all bilateral series in 2021. However, just before the World Cup, they won a bilateral series against India by 4-1, so they are going into the World Cup with a lot of positive intentions, and they also have the advantage of playing at home.
What happened in the Warm-ups?
New Zealand vs Pakistan-
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. New Zealand lost early wickets of their openers. However, Amy Satterthwaite (80) and Maddy Green (58) stood up and made a 131-run partnership followed by cameos from Hannah Rowe (20) and Jess Kerr (34). Pakistan restricted them for 229 with 5 overs remaining. For them, Nashra Sandhu was the pick of the bowler, she had 4 for 32.
In return, Pakistan made curial partnerships at regular intervals. A 42-run partnership between Sidra Amin and Javeria Khan. Bismah Maroof and Omaima Sohail made a 45-run partnership. One partnership that stood out was between Nida Dar (54) and Aliya Riyaz (62). Pakistan won the match by four wickets with four balls remaining. The pick of the bowler for New Zealand was Jess Kerr with two wickets.
New Zealand vs Australia-
New Zealand won the toss the opted to bowl first. Batting first Australia lost the early wicket of Rachael Haynes but that did not do any damage as Healy (64) and Lanning put up a 79 run-partnership. Mooney joined Lanning (87) after Healy’s wicket and the duo made an 80-run stand. Gardner’s 60 off 32 helped Australia cross the 300 run mark. NZ restricted the to 321 runs with three balls remaining.
In return, NZ completely thrashed Australia. The openers Suzie Bates (63) and Sophie Devine made a 119-run opening partnership. In-form batter Amelia Kerr joined the dangerous Devine and the duo made a staggering 209-run partnership. Kerr scored 92 off 75 balls which included 13 fours. Devine’s sensational unbeaten knock of 161 off 117 included 23 fours and 4 sixes. White Ferns won the match by 9 wickets.
Squad
The biggest takeaway from the India series was Amelia Kerr batting at no.3. Batting at 3 she scored 353 runs in 5 ODI’s. Their top four batter- Bates, Devine, Amelia, and Satterthwaite are the best in the world at moment. Down the order, they have Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday and unfortunately Lauren Down was ruled out from the world cup due to a thumb injury during the India series. They have power hitters in the lower order Lea Tahuhu in particular. Rosemary, Rowe and Jess Kerr can also score runs if needed.
Lea Tahuhu will lead the pace bowling with fellow pacers Mair, Rowe, Devine, and Jess. In spin, they have Amelia, Fran Jonas, Frankie Mackay, and Satterthwaite.
Players to watch- Amelia Kerr
Amelia will definitely be one player to watch out for in the world cup. This is her year as she is in excellent form with being the 2nd highest scorer in Super Smash and highest scorer against India series.
Definite pick in the fantasy side-
One player that has to be in your fantasy team is the dangerous Sophie Devine. She can be a threat to the opposition with both bat and ball.
