New Zealand Opener Henry Nicholls In Doubt For World Cup 2019 Final
Jul 14, 2019 at 11:02 AM
All through ICC Word Cup 2019, barring just one occasion, New Zealand found their openers struggling for runs and even as they play the final on Sunday, the form of their openers is one of the worries for them. The trio of Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls and Colin Munro have failed miserably with the bat. The Black Caps started their campaign with Guptill and Munro at the helm but continues failures saw Munro making way for Nicholls, who has 36 runs in three matches.
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Although he gave some positive signs during his patient 28-run knock against India in the semi-finals, that saw New Zealand dragging their total to 239, that proved to be match-winning in the end. He scored 28 off 51 while Guptil once again failed to see off the new ball and was dismissed on 1 off 14.
The patience shown by Nicholls was a relief for Kiwis but they have suffered a blow as the left-handed batsman is in doubt for the final against England. Nicholls did not come out to field against India due to a hamstring issue and this can very well see him miss the final as well.
Should he sit out, it will be a big blow for the 2015 World Cup runner-up as he showed promise in the previous match and New Zealand would hope him to bat the same way in the final.
If Nicholls wins the race against time, he will open the innings with Guptill while Munro will again be in the frame as New Zealand has no other opener left in the squad.
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Guptill, despite his below-par performances, will continue to remain at the top of the order. Although he has had come up with few exemplary fielding performances and his direct hit to dismiss MS Dhoni in the same-final ensured a ticket to the final for Black Caps.
Apart from Nicholls, there is no other concern in New Zealand’s camp they are expected to field same playing XI. England are also expected to go with the same playing XI for the final.
While Blackcaps outclassed India, England defeated arch-rivals Australia in the semi-final to book a place in the finals for the first time since 1992. The final of World Cup 2019 will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 14.