In these 15 Black Caps we trust

The Black Caps World Cup squad will be officially announced at Tai Tapu Primary School in Canterbury this morning. But why wait? Cricket writer Adrian Seconi names the likely squad.

Batsmen

Martin Guptill - Let's hope his body holds together. The side would be lost in the first 15 overs without his direction. Superb opener.

Henry Nicholls - The Canterbury left-hander continues to grab every opportunity he is presented, including Colin Munro's spot at the top alongside Guptill.

Kane Williamson - Mr Reliable. Averages close to 46. Hopefully he can channel a little Brendon McCullum in his leadership.

Ross Taylor - Our best one-day batsman? Definitely in marvellous touch and shapes as our key player.

Tom Latham - Will take the gloves and provide some starch in the middle order.

 

All-rounders

Jimmy Neesham - Has rediscovered his form with the bat. But still not someone you want to give the ball to much, if at all, at international level.

Colin de Grandhomme - An lbw candidate and not terribly convincing against spin. But he can thump the ball a long way and he is a reasonably frugal medium pacer.

 

Bowlers

Trent Boult - One of the best bowlers at the 2015 tournament. Will lead the attack again. If he has a good tournament, the Black Caps should do well.

Matt Henry - Will jostle with Tim Southee for a spot alongside Boult with the new ball. Enjoys English conditions.

Lockie Ferguson - Brings tremendous pace and is a potent strike bowler. Be nice to see him with the new ball once in a while.

Mitchell Santner - A quality left-arm spinner and useful lower-order batsman.

 

Lucky

Tim Southee - Is he the new Kyle Mills? Will the right-arm seamer be carried through the tournament just like Mills was in 2015? He is there on reputation rather than form. A few wickets against Bangladesh at the end of the summer don't count.

Colin Munro - Brilliant on flat tracks against second-tier attacks. Hit and miss and mostly miss in the 50-over version. But he is there for the times when he does connect.

Tom Blundell - It has been widely reported the Wellington gloveman has come from nowhere to nab a spot despite playing just one list A game this summer. Tim Seifert got opportunities to nail the reserve wicketkeeper's slot. But some dreadful work behind the sticks and an injury late in the season appear to have cost the Northern Districts right-hander a place. His power batting would have offered the Black Caps another option at the top.

Ish Sodhi - Cannot land a legspinner but landed a World Cup slot. Is capable of some magic deliveries, though.

 

Unlucky

 

Hamish Bennett - The Wellington pace bowler did not appear to be seriously considered despite arguably being the best domestic one-day bowler in the country.

Todd Astle - The legspinner offers much more with the bat than Sodhi but injuries and a lack of opportunity have scuppered his prospects.

BJ Watling - He is the best keeper in the country yet he will have to watch the tournament on TV.