The ICC World Cup is well underway and already a number of teams have set down huge statements with their opening results.
In the run-up to the tournament, the big three of India, England and Australia were seen as the only realistic winners of the competition. But following the opening week of games, New Zealand have made their case as the most likely outsider to prevent the trio from winning the tournament.
New Zealand are the most likely to challenge the big three
The Kiwis secured a remarkable result in their opening World Cup fixture. Against one of the massive favourites in England, they were comfortable victors by nine wickets with 82 balls to spare.
That result alone showed their potential world-champion credentials as they won convincingly against an immensely strong outfit. England are the holders of the trophy and are predicted to have a strong chance at defending their honour. The cricket odds offer England at 5/1 to win the tournament, and New Zealand now trail only slightly at 11/2.
The Kiwis are undoubtedly the most likely to challenge the big three based on what we have seen at the tournament so far. They have proven they have the quality to down the strongest teams, and replicating their huge triumphs in the latter stages could lead to historic success.
The narrative surrounding the tournament has revolved around whether India will reclaim the honours on home soil, or if England will go back-to-back. Australia was seen as the nation that could perhaps cause a slight upset, but perhaps their Oceania rivals could even gazump the efforts of all three.
The Kiwis’ strong pre-tournament form
In New Zealand’s opening two fixtures, they secured consecutive dominant wins. The massive win against England was followed up by a routine victory against the Netherlands.
🇳🇿 New Zealand make it two wins from two!#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/s4UGm5XwRy
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) October 9, 2023
However, the Kiwis’ strong start to the tournament is no purple patch. Their strong start to the World Cup was perhaps foreshadowed by a number of impressive results in the warm-ups before the showpiece event kicked off.
In the final two fixtures before the action got underway in India, New Zealand similarly recorded double success. They defeated two incredibly strong nations Pakistan and South Africa.
New Zealand are in the midst of a strong run of momentum which began before they first swung a bat on the grandest stage.
Their opening efforts in the World Cup have ultimately created huge anticipation surrounding how far they could go in the competition. But who are the players that are leading their charge in the Indian sun?
The standout stars
Devon Conway is without a doubt New Zealand’s standout batsman. He was in fact born in South Africa – who could be a potential tournament rival – but he has opted to represent the Kiwis since 2020.
Let’s get into it! @icc @cricketworldcup @blackcapsnz 📸= @gettyimages pic.twitter.com/8ae5oFndwS
— Devon Conway (@D_Conway88) October 3, 2023
Conway recorded one of the greatest-ever World Cup performances for his nation against England. He ended the game with a ridiculous 152 runs. The free-scoring batsman has an admirable strike rate average of 89.4 since 2021 in one-day internationals. He is certainly a consistent high-scorer but his World Cup form has represented a significant peak for him so far.
The Kiwis are also not short of talent in the bowling department, and of course, technical quality all around is vital to winning major tournaments. Matt Henry is one of the finest bowlers in international cricket. He has started off the competition well having taken three wickets against both England and the Netherlands. He has taken an enormous 136 wickets in 77 ODI appearances since 2014 – he certainly has the longevity to suggest he can maintain his form throughout the World Cup.
Overall New Zealand are on a strong run of form, and if they can keep it up for the duration of the tournament, they will be tough to stop.
