SWOT analysis of New Zealand cricket team ahead of ODI World Cup 2023 

The stage is set, the players are in their final preparations and the fans are eagerly waiting. The biggest spectacle of cricket - the 2023 ODI World Cup - is just five days away. Defending champions England will face runners-up New Zealand in the tournament opener on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Black Caps suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2019 final, but this time they will put up a tough fight to take the elusive trophy home for the first time.

Team New Zealand SWOT Analysis:

Strength - Excellent leadership, formidable bowling line-up

Kane Williamson's leadership and batting prowess are unmatched and his return to the side after recovering from a knee injury is a major boost for New Zealand. In the previous edition, Williamson's captaincy and batting played a key role in their successful campaign. The veteran will aim to repeat the same this time around.

Coming to their next strength, the pace attack consisting of Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson is very dangerous. While Boult can trouble the top order with his left-arm swing, both Henry and Ferguson can wear down opponents with their sheer pace. The spin attack of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner will also make the batters' job difficult.

Weakness - Failed to dominate against spinners, poor ODI record in India

Kiwi batter's vulnerability against spin in subcontinent conditions will be their biggest concern. Indian pitches are more supportive of the spinners, which will help other teams outplay New Zealand. Apart from their skipper Williamson, other batters have not had a respectable record against spinners.

The 2019 runners-up have a dismal ODI record in India. They have managed to win just 18 matches and lost 41 out of 61 ODIs. Although New Zealand are always dark horses in major tournaments, these figures are really worrying.

Opportunities - End their long wait for a World Cup title

New Zealand have been performing consistently in major tournaments, but they don't have many trophies to keep in their showcase. They are the only team to have qualified for the ODI World Cup semi-finals four times in a row and finished as runners-up in the last two editions. They have broken the jinx in the 2021 World Test Championship, but New Zealand and their talisman Williamson need an ODI WC title.

Threats - Injury concerns

Although Williamson is back in the squad, he is not 100 per cent fit and is likely to miss the first few games as well. The veteran has been sidelined for several months and the World Cup will be his first competitive match since suffering an injury in March. At the same time, senior pacer Tim Southee is also set to miss the first few matches as he is yet to fully recover following surgery on his fractured right thumb.

New Zealand Squad for World Cup 2023

Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.