Adapting to UAE conditions key as New Zealand eye second world title in 2021 – ESPNcricinfo

Feature

Being in a group full of Asian oppositions could prove a test if the pitches are slow and low

Big picture

While Williamson has already indicated that conditions will decide New Zealand's XI, facing India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh - if they qualify for the tournament proper - will be a tricky proposition.

Recent form

Batting

Bowling

New Zealand don't have a specialist offspinner although Phillips is open to doing the job against left-handers. Santner was the only New Zealander who didn't get a game in this IPL, but head coach Gary Stead believes he will be able to shake off the rust during the warm-up games.

Kyle Jamieson had impressed with his change-ups in Chennai during the first leg of the IPL, but his T20 form has tapered off since. In his last seven T20s, he has managed just a solitary wicket at an economy rate of 10.09.

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Key question(s)

Do New Zealand have enough depth in their squad? They've picked only one reserve player in Milne, and left out compelling T20 options in Colin Munro and Finn Allen. If the ball doesn't swing or seam around, how effective will Boult or Southee be in the UAE?

Likely XI

1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tim Seifert (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Devon Conway, 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Kyle Jamieson/Daryl Mitchell, 9 Lockie Ferguson, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent Boult/Tim Southee

Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

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Adapting to UAE conditions key as New Zealand eye second world title in 2021 - ESPNcricinfo