The Champions Trophy holds a special place in New Zealand cricket. It happens to be the only ICC event, the Blackcaps have managed to win in their history.

This should perhaps be a very motivating fact, as the multi-nation tournament stands only after the Cricket World Cup second in terms of importance. Traditionally, New Zealand has always been the dark horses. It is a tag which almost etched on the wall, as their reputation in multi-nation tournaments.

Slight makeovers in the side have been witnessed since the 2015 World where they ended up as the finalists; but, that still doesn’t earn them the favourites tag ahead of the Champions Trophy.

So, not hard to guess, in this Champion Trophy edition, they are yet again, all – set to enter as the team that has all the capability of ‘upsetting’ the original contenders but still doesn’t strike some real fear of authority in the minds of their oppositions.

Overview

The level of optimism will be high in the team. They have all the ingredients to end up as the champions. It’s just that their promising names have to put out collective efforts throughout the tournament.

They have two title favourites – Australia and England along with a highly unpredictable side – Bangladesh – for the company in the Group A. This makes thing tricky for them and calls for a great level of consistency in their performances.

Speaking of form, New Zealand has won six out of their 11 ODI series after the 2015 World Cup. It seems like a good record but the drawback here is that most five out of those series wins have been achieved on their home soil with one coming against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe.

At home, the conditions are pretty bowler friendly, whereas, in England, 300 plus scores promise to be regular nowadays.

And, with two of the fiercest ODI units set to challenge them, New Zealand is set to face an acid test, at least in the league stages.

Where To Watch

Venue tickets are available at ICC Official website and ticketmaster.com

TV Channels (Country wise)

ICC Champions Trophy 2017 – TV Channels Worldwide

Country	Paid
Australia	Fox Sports (every game live)
Afghanistan	Ten Sports
Bangladesh	Ten Sports
India	Star Sports (Every Match live) & Doordarshan (only India matches)
New Zealand	Sky NZ (Has not confirmed yet but most likely to retain broadcasting rights)
United Kingdom	Sky Sports 2 (Only network in the United Kingdom to broadcast Champions Trophy)
USA	Willow TV (Viewers in the USA can subscribe to Willow TV monthly package to get live access for Champions Trophy available on all platforms)
Canada	Willow TV
Sri Lanka	Star Sports (India)
Pakistan	Ten Sports (to broadcast all Champions Trophy matches) PTV (might have live coverage of only Pakistan matches.
Caribbeans	ESPN (not confirmed yet but ESPN is likely to win the rights in Caribbean countries)
South Africa	Super Sports (Confirmed as Champions Trophy broadcaster in South Africa and adjacent African countries)
Europe	No news so far about any coverage in European countries. But Euro Sport might scoop it if they able to negotiate a long-term deal with ICC to promote cricket in other euro countries.
Middle East	OSN Sports (Usually broadcast major cricket tournaments in some of the Gulf states)
Ireland	Since Ireland did not qualify, Irish viewers can only watch Champions Trophy via Sky Sports

Live Streaming: Hot Star

Live Score: Sportzwiki.com

Swot Analysis

Strength

New Zealand can depend on both their batting and bowling. With Trent Boult and Tim Southee leading the bowling attack, the BlackCaps can be assured of having two highly effective swing bowlers who can trouble the opposition with the new ball and also claim early wickets.

Their support cast includes of Mitchell McClenaghan who is coming off a successful time in the IPL. His ability to pick consistent wickets and death bowling seems to have improved significantly. The all-rounders Corey Anderson, James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme also are effective seam bowling options capable of operating in the middle overs.

Batting wise, all the five specialist names picked – Guptill, Latham, Broom, Taylor and skipper Williamson – have been in good ODI form recently.

Weakness

Names like Adam Milne and the duo of Jeetan Patel and Mitchell Santner in spin bowling department happen to be the only least exciting names. Milne is super quick but can be erratic and leak runs. The spinners aren’t bad. Santner is the best left-arm spinner in his country and Patel has plenty of county experience.

But, the duo might feel like being thrown in a cage full of hungry wolves if the batsmen target them. The flat tracks somehow can support the seamers but promise to offer nothing for the spinners. They have to be really smart to end the tournament with decent figures or else they might just be looked as freebies by the oppositions.

Opportunity

This will be the first major 50-overs tournament without their charismatic skipper Brendon McCullum who instilled the ‘go-getter’ attitude in the current crop of players. Kane Williamson & Co. have a golden chance to show to the cricketing world that they have it them to be the top contenders. The performance in the 2015 Cricket World and the World T20 2016 were great but they ended up faltering in the final stages. Champions Trophy provides them with the opportunity to polish their reputation as strong challengers and take the last leap of glory.

Threat

Their last series at home ended in a defeat at the hands of the South Africa. Their most recent ODI fixture ended in a loss at the hands of the least favourite Bangladesh. This only reflects the fact that their current form isn’t great. The names present are great but they need to become more vigilant.

Also, it will be interesting to see how the bowlers adapt to the fast opposition’s varying skills and advantage. Australia will come out all-guns-blazing against their Trans-Tasman rivals.

England knows the conditions in and out and will challenge them tactically apart from batting and bowling aspects. As far as Bangladesh is concerned, they already have shown that they are here to cause some upsets.

Prediction:

New Zealand’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals remain doubtful. England and Australia are straightway favourites as New Zealand’s chances wold be open only if they score a win over one of the two contenders apart from the need to win it big against Bangladesh.

SQUAD:

NAME	ROLE	DOB
Kane Williamson	Bat	August 8, 1990
Neil Broom	Bat	November 20, 1983
Martin Guptill	Bat	September 30, 1986
Ross Taylor	Bat	March 8, 1984
Luke Ronchi	Wicketkeeper/Bat	April 23, 1981
Tom Latham	Bat	April 2, 1992
Corey Anderson	All Rounder	December 13, 1990
Colin de Grandhomme	All Rounder	July 22, 1986
Mitchell McClenaghan	Pacer	April 2, 1992
Jimmy Neesham	All Rounder	September 17, 1990
Adam Milne	Pacer	April 13, 1992
Jeetan Patel	Spinner	May 7, 1980
Mitchell Santner	Spinner	February 5, 1992
Tim Southee	Pacer	December 11, 1988
Trent Boult	Pacer	July 22, 1989