New Zealand kicked off their home summer with a T20 series win against West Indies. They take on The Windies in 2 tests before hosting Pakistan for 3 T20s and 2 tests. They are also scheduled to host Australia and Bangladesh for a T20 and ODI series.With a long summer ahead, who are the players to watch for the Blackcaps?
Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson completed 10 years in international cricket this year and has shown no signs of slowing down. The 30-year-old has amassed 6476 test runs at an average of 51 and 6173 ODI runs at 47.5. The New Zealand captain is also a two time World Cup finalist, losing the World Cup final on boundaries last year.
Williamson has been in the best batsmen in the world conversation for over five years now. Winning the two test series’ against West Indies and Pakistan will be on top of his wish list as the ICC World Test Championship table starts taking shape.
Tom Latham
Tom Latham has been an integral part of New Zealand’s test team ever since his debut. Considered by many as one of the best test openers in the world, Latham averages 42 with 11 hundreds in the game’s longest format. His average speaks volumes about his batting, as openers always face a tougher challenge when facing the hard new ball.
New Zealand will be facing some fierce bowlers in their four test matches this summer like Kemar Roach, Shaheen Afridi etc. The blackcaps will be hoping Latham continues his fine form in the format.
Lockie Ferguson
The 29-year-old pacer has been at the centre of attention since his IPL performances this year. The team management has spoken highly of his ability to pick up wickets at any stage of the game after picking up a fifer in the first T20 against West Indies.
With two T20 World Cups in the next two years, Lockie Ferguson is almost certain to be part of the playing XI for every white-ball game this summer.
James Neesham
Jimmy Neesham has had an eventful career to say the very least. The all-rounder made history early on in his career, scoring consecutive hundreds in his first two test matches. He’s also been part of New Zealand’s 2016 T20 WC and 2019 WC campaigns. The 30-year-old scored a swashbuckling 48* in the first T20 against West Indies. His runs turned out to be a huge difference in the game.
A brilliant fielder too, Neesham will be New Zealand’s X-factor for the summer. Whether its as batsman, bowler or fielder Neesham will have a presence when he’s on the pitch.
