With less than two months remaining until the Cricket World Cup starts, there is a special buzz in the air. Starting with the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad, we predict the best 15-member contingent that each nation is going to send to light up India amidst the festivals.

As a side that have consistently punched above their weight and made deep runs at ICC tournaments, New Zealand have spent four years building towards this ODI World Cup. We dive into which players we think they’ll select, what the strengths and weaknesses of their squad are likely to be, and what the best New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023 playing 11 is.

New Zealand ODI World Cup squad: Our predictions

New Zealand are not due to announce their World Cup squad until late August, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a fair idea already of the players that will be going. 

Here’s a rundown of the names we believe are certain selections in the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad, those that have a good chance of making it, and what surprises we may see.

Specialist batsmen

In years gone by, New Zealand have struggled with having quality top order batsmen. Now, they have a wealth of talent. Here’s who we think they’ll go with in the specialist batting department:

1. Finn Allen

Finn Allen could get open with Conway. Though he has not set the stage on fire in ODI cricket, it is a fact that Allen possesses an X-factor like Martin Guptill, who is another contender but was recently dropped due to poor form as New Zealand preferred the youngster over the veteran.

2. Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell fits well into the category of a clutch player. He is someone who plays primarily as a batter, though can also roll over his arm if need be. Mitchell has not featured in an ODI World Cup yet but is currently within touching distance of playing one.

3. Kane Williamson 

Williamson’s participation in the tournament remains doubtful, but as the latest developments suggest, he is on track to be among the 15 members for the ODI World Cup 2023. Williamson ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in an IPL match this year. However, he has joined the New Zealand training camp ahead of cricket’s magnum opus.

Encouraging signs for New Zealand with Kane Williamson back at the nets ahead of the World Cup 🤞

📹: kane_s_w | Instagram #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/3Uw4rIqyHr

— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) August 1, 2023

4. Will Young

Will Young has made the most of the limited opportunities he got as an opener. He has three 80-plus scores in the ODI series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Although Guptill could get this spot, Young is ahead of him in the race.

We say that Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will be unlucky and miss out on the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad, though there’s every chance that the Kiwis find a way to squeeze in Phillips somehow.

Wicket keepers

Here’s what the wicket keeping cover will likely look like for New Zealand: 

1. Tom Latham

Tom Latham will ideally be New Zealand’s first-choice wicketkeeper. He has been captaining New Zealand in Kane Williamson’s absence and is well in contention to lead the team in the World Cup if the latter does not get fit in time.

2. Devon Conway

Batting as an opener, Devon Conway has emerged as a pillar of New Zealand’s batting line-up. Scoring 733 runs in 18 ODIs at an average of 45.81, the South African-born batsman boasts remarkable numbers. Conway will be in the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad regardless, and offers wicket keeping cover, should an injury occur to Latham.

There’s a chance that New Zealand will prefer to take a more regular keeper than Conway, in which case, Glenn Phillips would be the option, with Will Young missing out in the specialist batting department.

All rounders

New Zealand is known for its hearty all rounders, and this Cricket World Cup is no different. Here’s are the multi-talented men we say will feature in the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad:

1. Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman could make a formidable middle-order batter. He was in scintillating touch in the T20Is against Pakistan and even found his form back in ODI cricket. If not him, New Zealand could pick Glenn Phillips (we did say they might try to squeeze him in!).

2. Michael Bracewell

Michael Bracewell is more of a batting all-rounder. Who would forget his 78-ball 140 in an ODI the last time New Zealand visited India? Bracewell is also a capable off-spinner, and this could work in his favour as the pitches in India will benefit him.

3. James Neesham 

James Neesham will most likely occupy the spot of the second all-rounder in the New Zealand squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. A swashbuckler who relies more on movement, a player like Neesham is a boon to any team.

4. Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner plays the role of a bowling all-rounder. He is the only left-arm spinner in the New Zealand squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. While his wicket-to-wicket line is hard to get past for any batter, he can also chip in with vital runs, batting lower down the order.

Specialist bowlers

Batsmen win matches, but bowlers win tournaments, right? With New Zealand undoubtedly heading to India to lift the trophy, here are the bowlers they’ll be counting on:

1. Trent Boult

Although devoid of a central contract, Trent Boult is the first name that is guaranteed a spot in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup. As the Kiwi outfit lacks quality pacers, and considering how their bowling line-up fared in India last time, Boult is a must for the Black Caps. The fast bowler is full of experience and exhibited his class for MI New York in their tournament-winning Major League Cricket 2023 campaign.

2. Tim Southee

Supporting Boult will be Tim Southee. Alongside Boult, Southee could become even more effective, as the duo with the new ball could be a genuine threat to any batter. The 34-year-old has been a wicket-taker for New Zealand in the ODI format lately, and his team would require him to do the job in the sub-continent conditions of India.

3. Lockie Ferguson

A bona fide speedster, Lockie Ferguson brings variety to the Black Caps’ pace attack and could also make the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad. While their other fast bowlers rely on swing and seam, Ferguson can trouble anyone with his pace. However, his form has been concerning, and for New Zealand to do well in the World Cup, he must deliver the goods.

4. Matt Henry/Adam Milne 

New Zealand has been trying these two in the absence of their leading pacers. While Matt Henry has played the better part, Adam Milne has also come into the picture now. If asked to pick between them, Henry, who is the number five ODI bowler, could pip Milne. Henry Shipley is also in the picture, but will likely miss out due to the experience others offer

5. Ish Sodhi (Spinner)

Ish Sodhi, again, is a confirmed pick for New Zealand. The leggie, although he leaks runs sometimes, has a match-changing capability in him that could define New Zealand’s performance in the upcoming World Cup.

Probable New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023 playing 11

Based on these 15 players, that means New Zealand’s ODI World Cup 2023 playing 11 would look like this:

1. Finn Allen
2. Devon Conway
3. Kane Williamson (captain)
4. Daryl Mitchell
5. Tom Latham (wicket keeper)
6. Mark Chapman
7. Michael Bracewell
8. Mitchell Santner
9. Tim Southee
10. Trent Boult
11. Lockie Ferguson

The experience of New Zealand’s ODI World Cup playing 11 would be one of its big strengths, particularly in the bowling department. While the conditions on offer will not be easy for the bowlers, the New Zealand bowlers can use their experience to their advantage, considering that most of them also play in the IPL.

Add in the fact that they have quality batters against spin in Conway, Williamson, and Latham, and New Zealand could prove to be very effective on the spin-friendly pitches in India. However, the big question mark is Williamson. 

Get the latest on Kane Williamson’s injury rehab from the man himself and BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead. #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/vJQGOTO83E

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) August 4, 2023

Despite the talisman showing positive signs in terms of his recovery from an injury, there is a possibility that Williamson does not get fully fit. New Zealand does not have a perfect replacement for him—the batter or the captain. 

If Williamson is not in the New Zealand ODI World Cup squad, this will massively dent their middle order, as there is already a tinge of inexperience to it.

Tune in for our coverage of New Zealand’s confirmed squad once it is announced in late August.