Will the Kiwis fly? | Twenty20 Pulse

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Will the Kiwis fly?

Posted by admin on 6/03/09 • Categorized as ICC World Twenty20





It’s strange how India keep losing to New Zealand in T20. But then, the latter’s case has always been complex – neither here, nor there. They have never been among the top guns, but they’ve never sunk too low either.

This time, however, New Zealand do have those genuine match-winners. The batting, especially, seems more powerful than it has ever been. In Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder, the Kiwis have their best opening pair in years. Both can tear apart attacks with ease, and both have a point to prove after having endured a miserable IPL season. The third ace in the batting pack is Ross Taylor, who is one of the best players of spin New Zealand have produced in years.

The all-round skills of Scott Styris and Jacob Oram are always handy.

Squad:
Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Kyle Mills, Iain O’Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor

Key Players

Brendon McCullum: Burdened with captaincy by Knight Riders at the eleventh hour, this world-class wicket-keeper-batsman suddenly lost his touch only to find it when all was lost this IPL. Together with Jesse Ryder, he forms a lethal opening combo.

Daniel Vettori: Can a batsman be tied up in knots in T20? Watching Vettori bowl makes it appear possible. The left-arm spinner bowls such a tight line and length that anyone taking a risk against him does so at his own peril.

Vettori has a knack of being economical that often puts pressure on batsmen.

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