Women’s T20 WC 2023: New Zealand SWOT analysis
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is all set for its eighth edition. The global event will kick-start on February 10, 2023 and South Africa will be hosting it across three venues. A total of 10 teams have been split into two groups of five each. The teams finishing in the top two spots in their respective groups will qualify for the knockout stage.
In the most recent edition of the tournament, in February-March 2020, South Africa, England, India, and eventual champions Australia qualified as the final four. Having lost two out of four games in the group stage, New Zealand finished third in their group and failed to make it through.
The White Ferns have made it to the knockout stage twice in the tournament (2009 and 2010). But, have failed to find themselves a semi-final spot ever since. This time around, they are placed alongside Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Given their recent form, the Kiwis have good chances of seeing themselves in the top four.
SWOT Analysis of New Zealand:
STRENGTH
New Zealand’s senior players Suzie Bates and skipper Sophie Devine are the team’s biggest strengths. The squad includes a few new faces this time, but few possess the amount of experience that Devine and Bates hold in international cricket. The duo has been phenomenal in the T20 format, especially while playing franchise cricket. New Zealand has won seven out of the previous eight T20I outings, which will be a major source of confidence.
WEAKNESS
New Zealand’s recent series against West Indies saw the team struggling even in the low-scoring games. There were times when they clinched low-scoring thrillers and won the game in the final few deliveries. The White Ferns can not afford to take the low-scoring games down the wire. Handling the pressure will be one part New Zealand will have to work hard on.
OPPORTUNITIES
After struggling to eat and sleep for two years leading to multiple hospital visits, Bernadine Bezuidenhout finally managed to get herself back on the field. Even after a prolonged break, she managed to impress the selectors with her performances in the domestic arena. She now has earned a comeback to the national side for the marquee event. The upcoming event will be a huge opportunity for the South Africa-born New Zealander as she looks to retain her spot on the side.
THREATS
Defending champions Australia and South Africa will be the biggest threats to New Zealand in the group stage. Though the White Ferns have been dominant over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, tackling five-time champions Australia and defeating the formidable South Africa on their soil won’t be an easy task. New Zealand’s last major achievement was the Bronze medal victory at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Now, they will be aiming for a finale spot at the World Cup.
New Zealand Squad: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
