New Zealand will take on India in the first semi-final of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. The struggling Kiwis had made it as the fourth semi-finalists following a superior net run-rate than Pakistan.
Now, they are set to take on India at Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday (July 8).
Here’s the New Zealand Predicted Playing XI for the semi-final game against India:
Martin Guptill:
Martin Guptill has struggled in the tournament so far. In eight matches, Guptill has amassed 166 runs.
Even though his average reads as 23.71, Guptill is that sort of a player who could demolish any attack at the big stage.
Colin Munro:
The explosive top-order batsman Colin Munro might have been left out for a couple of games, but given to his attacking instinct, he will feature in the semi-final game against India.
The prominent face in Kiwis set-up has 125 runs under his belt in six fixtures. However, he would be keen to deliver at the top for the Black Caps following a mixed show so far in the ongoing World Cup.
Also Read : ICC World Cup 2019: Semifinal – 1, India vs New Zealand – India’s Predicted Playing XI
Kane Williamson:
Skipper Kane Williamson has been at the forefront to deliver for the Kiwis. The composed character has further delivered under testing circumstances. He has accumulated 481 runs in seven innings at an average of 96.20.
Ross Taylor:
The vanguard of Kiwis cricket Ross Taylor had a mixed run at the ICC event. With 37.29 average, Taylor has garnered 261 runs in seven innings. Taylor has played a crucial role in the middle overs to rotate the strike apart from stitching a couple of crucial partnerships.
In the middle-overs, Taylor’s experience will be crucial against India in Manchester.
Tom Latham:
In the previous game against England, Tom Latham had slammed a hard-fought fifty. Although, he couldn’t live upto the billings which is visible with his performance at the ODI showpiece. He has 98 runs to his name in seven innings.
Latham has experience of delivering in crunch situations of the game.
Jimmy Neesham:
Jimmy Neesham had a remarkable run at the World Cup. The high-quality all-rounder has amassed 201 runs in six innings apart from bagging 11 wickets in eight matches.
Neesham will be confident with the way he has shown up on the field.
Colin de Grandhomme:
Another all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has a major task at his hands in the semis. Grandhomme had an average run at the World Cup, but his power-hitting will be crucial apart from his medium-pace bowling given to the Old Trafford surface.
Mitchell Santner:
The 27-year-old slow left-arm orthodox spinner Mitchell Santner couldn’t be effective as many as he should have been on the English surfaces.
Also, Santner has managed just four scalps in eight games. Santner, who has enough experience to deceive the batters. He is also handy with the bat.
Lockie Ferguson:
Despite missing a game against England due to a strain, Lockie Ferguson is the leading wicket-taker for Kiwis. The speedster has 17 wickets under his belt in seven matches.
Ferguson has the knack of picking wickets at the earliest.
Matt Henry:
The paceman, Matt Henry, has been exceptional in patches. However, given to his pace, he is capable of troubling the batters up front. Henry has claimed ten wickets in seven matches.
His early overs would be crucial with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in sublime form.
Trent Boult:
The paceman Trent Boult, who had claimed a hat-trick against Australia at the World Cup, would be keen to give his best at the ODI showpiece.
Boult had already claimed two four-wicket hauls at the World Cup with overall 15 wickets in eight games.