India vs New Zealand 2019: Three World Cup Spots Are Up for Grab - Gary Stead
Published - 04 Feb 2019, 03:17 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:59 PM
New Zealand coach Gary Stead has confirmed that there are still three World Cup spots available for grab in the team. Stead believes that they are close to getting their 15-man squad which they think would get the job done in the forthcoming World Cup. New Zealand has done a good job in the recent except for the series against India, which they lost by 1-4.
Thus, the Blackcaps will like to turn the tables in their next ODI series against Bangladesh. Before that New Zealand will take on India in the three-match T20I series.
“We’re close to getting the 15 that we think is the right 15. There’s room for three; there’s 15 places and you can take as many as you want. There could be room for three,” Stead said.
Meanwhile, the English conditions will be ideal for the New Zealand team to play two spinners. The Kiwis have Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle in their ranks who can get the job done.
“It depends a bit on the summer but if you take the last few years for example, two spinners have been a little bit of the norm. You look at the way England structure their side, they usually have Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. It’d be silly of us not to look at the way they play in their conditions.”
On the other hand, New Zealand is also seeking their back-up wicketkeeping option. Tom Latham is going to be the first choice stumper. Furthermore, Henry Nicholls and Tim Seifert can fill in the shoes of the extra gloveman.
“He’s (Nicholls) done a little bit of dabbling in the past and it’s something we still have to work out with the complete balance of the 15; take the extra keeping backup or look at another option.”
New Zealand will like to cover all their bases before the World Cup. They will play three T20I matches against India with the first match to take place at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Subsequently, New Zealand will lock horns with Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series which will begin from next Wednesday. This will be the last ODI series for the Kiwis before the World Cup campaign.
New Zealand could not come up with a good batting display in the ODI series against India. Thus, the Blackcaps will like to turn the tides in the forthcoming series.
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