The 2022 edition of the Women’s World Cup is scheduled to begin on 4th March 2022. Being held in New Zealand for the third time, the marquee event in the women’s calendar will consist of 31 matches culminating in the finals on April 3rd at Christchurch.
Main squad
Sophie Devine (captain), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
Strengths:
Good mix of youth and experience
Coming into the tournament, New Zealand have the services of their experienced trio of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite at their disposal. All of them have played 120+ games each. Katey Martin, the wicket-keeper, has also featured in 96 ODIs till date. Lea Tahuhu has shouldered the bowling responsibility for the team. All of them have had a long career and records to help them guide the team and its youngsters.
Versatile bowling attack
New Zealand have selected a very versatile bowling attack for the World Cup. Lea Tahuhu is a premier fast bowler who is currently the backbone of the bowling attack. She will be supported by fellow pacers Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr. There is also a variety in the spin department which could be handy for the tournament. Fran Jonas is a left-arm spinner whereas Amelia Kerr is a leg-spinner and Frankie Mackay is an off-spinner. The spinners can be included in the playing XI as per the playing conditions.
Strong All Rounders
The hosts will also be bolstered by a good crop of all-rounders to choose from. Leading from the front, Sophie Devine forms the core of the batting with the ability to bat big and long. She is also a good pacer who bowls regularly in ODIs. Amelia Kerr is a wonderful batter who, in the most recent series against India, came to bat in very critical situations and lifted the team with her strokeplay. With 67 wickets in her short career, including a five-for, she is a key spinner in the side. Lea Tahuhu is a premier fast-bowler but has been promoted up the order at times. Amy Satterthwaite can also fill in a few overs if the need arises. Fran Jonas, the young left-arm spinner, can bat in any slot, lending flexibility in the batting department.
Weakness:
Dependence on the top order
New Zealand has been very dependent on their captain, Sophie Devine and the experienced Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite to provide a good foundation to their batting. There have been many instances when the three have collectively failed, which has hurt them badly. In the middle order, only Amelia Kerr has been known to hold the innings together. The combination of Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green and Hayley Jensen have not proven to be very successful with the bat. To add to their woes, Lauren Down has been injured and is forced to be replaced with the uncapped Georgia Plimmer, making the middle-order look more fragile.
Poor success rate
New Zealand has had a poor success rate in recent times over the last few years. This has led to self-doubt as they seek to win the trophy on home soil. They have failed against the top teams like Australia, England and South Africa, conceding all the series that they have played against them. Even India had beaten them at home in 2018. If they are to progress to the knockouts, they need to beat a few of these teams in the group stage. Even if they do get there, they would have to beat two of those teams again to win the trophy – one in the semis and one in the final, which will be a tough ask for them.
Threats:
Relative strength of other teams
Earlier, New Zealand was a certainty to make it to the knockouts of global events considering other teams barring Australia and England were not very competitive in women’s cricket. However, the situation is very different now. Australia and England have continued their dominance in world cricket but teams like India and South Africa have improved to an extent that they have had better success rates than that of New Zealand now. This will make the fight for the spots for the semis very challenging. New Zealand will have to bring their A-game into the tournament to make it to the knockouts.
