WC 2023: New Zealand (NZ) World Cup Schedule 2023, Time Table, Timings, Dates, Venues Details and PDF Download

New Zealand Team. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

After finishing second on the podium in the last two editions of the ODI World Cup, New Zealand will be desperate to turn the tables and win the coveted prize. They have already got rid of the term chokers by winning the World Test Championship in 2021 but when it comes to white-ball cricket, the Black Caps have failed to get the job done. Can 2023 be their year? Well, one can never count them out.

However, Kane Williamson’s fitness is a massive concern at the moment. The skipper hurt his knee during the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League and is currently recovering. His availability is not yet guaranteed and that remains a massive concern at the moment, especially, when he has a tremendous record in India. On top of that, he is very well accustomed to Indian conditions and thus, not having him in the dressing room can prove to be a massive miss for the team.

Meanwhile, in case he misses out, players like Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman will be extremely vital for the team. Notably, Conway was in sensational form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League and thus, the team will be hoping that he can repeat something similar in the World Cup.

When it comes to bowing, Tim Southee and Trent Boult will be extremely important for New Zealand. Express pacer Lockie Ferguson can prove to be extremely vital while Blair Tickner can also prove his worth. Overall, the team is in good shape at the moment and will be hopeful to break the pattern and finally win the marquee tournament.

In other World Cup news, New Zealand will be playing against England in their very first match on October 5 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They will be taking on India on October 22 at Dharamshala and will be playing against their arch-rivals Australia on October 28 at the same venue.

Notably, the top four teams on the points table will qualify for the semi-finals of the competition, which will take place in Mumbai and Kolkata respectively. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the finals on November 19.