Kane Williamson (L), Lockie Ferguson (C) and Devon Conway (R) are key members of the Black Caps T20 World Cup squad. Photo / Photosport
The Black Caps' quest to win the Twenty20 World Cup begins tomorrow morning. Niall Anderson runs through the players aiming to bring the trophy back to New Zealand.
Age: 31
T20 Caps: 67
T20 Stats: Averages 31.7 at a strike rate of 125
What We Say: Player of the tournament at the 2019 ODI World Cup and the man who led the Black Caps to World Test Championship glory, Williamson is making a habit of producing dominant displays in pinnacle events – but will his nagging elbow injury put a dampener on the Black Caps' ambitions?
What They Say: "Any World Cup is always tough, particularly the T20 World Cup. There are match-winners in every team and anybody can truly beat anybody and for us, we want to continue the path of growth and improve as a side and make those adjustments."
Age: 35
T20 Caps: 102
T20 Stats: 2939 runs – second all-time in internationals - at an average of 32.3 and a strike rate of 137
What We Say: One of the more notoriously streaky players, Guptill averaged just 11.5 at a strike rate of 105 in the Pakistan Super League, but made 30 off 20 balls against Australia and 41 off 20 balls against England in warm-up matches. In what could be his last major tournament, which version of Guptill will show up at the World Cup?
What They Say: "It has been a bit of a ride. Twelve years with the team and this is my 12th ICC tournament. It's pretty exciting - the opportunity to represent your country is a massive thing and I just want to do the best that I can."
Age: 26
T20 Caps: 35
T20 Stats: Averages 24.8 at a strike rate of 133
What We Say: A batsman with game-changing qualities, Seifert has only played six times for the Black Caps in Asia, averaging eight. While he has improved since then, he will need to deliver on the potential that saw him preferred to Finn Allen and Colin Munro, especially with the powerplay looming as a crucial component.
What They Say: "It has been great being over here preparing, and watching what the wickets are doing. I think that has been crucial and hopefully I get to see the result in the World Cup with that experience and knowing what's going to happen."
Age: 30
T20 Caps: 14
T20 Stats: Averages 59.1 at a strike rate of 151
What We Say: He's passed every test in every format with flying colours so far, but all of Conway's 14 international T20s have been played in New Zealand. Whether he can adjust quickly enough to the demands of Asia is to be seen, but at this rate, you wouldn't want to bet against him.
What They Say: "I wouldn't say I've had much experience in these sorts of conditions, so I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
Age: 24
T20 Caps: 25
T20 Stats: Averages 28.1 at a strike rate of 150
What We Say: A blossoming star on the world T20 scene, Phillips also holds the record for the Black Caps' fastest T20 century, off 46 balls. A repeat of that is unlikely in these conditions, but Phillips is primed to be New Zealand's breakout star of the Cup.
What They Say: "I've definitely put on some weight and started throwing a bit more tin around. At one stage I was doing 800 press-ups a day, so when it came to batting in the middle, if I did need to take it deeper, I could, but I know that I could catch-up and clear the rope if I had to."
Age: 27
T20 Caps: 30 (19 for Hong Kong, 11 for New Zealand)
T20 Stats: Averages 20.4 for New Zealand, at a strike rate of 131
What We Say: With a high score for New Zealand of just 37, it's hard to see Chapman being selected in a full-strength XI, unless on a wicket that requires an unrelenting barrage of spin.
What They Say: "It's my first world event with the New Zealand team and it's been something that I've been looking forward to a long time. I'm just really stoked to be here."
Age: 31
T20 Caps: 29
T20 Stats: Averages 21.6 at a strike rate of 157, 18 wickets at 27.4, conceding 9.5 runs per over
What We Say: If Neesham can keep his economy rate under control, he could be an extremely valuable contributor at the World Cup, but even if his bowling struggles, we should still see some destructive blows with the bat.
What They Say: "We know that when we're having fun on the field, that's where we play our best cricket as well. Hopefully Gary [Stead] doesn't have too many physically difficult trainings and we can continue to have fun together and have some success."
Age: 30
T20 Caps: 15
T20 Stats: Averages 16.4 at a strike rate of 137, five wickets at 22, conceding 9.9 runs per over
What We Say: With doubts about his bowling, it would be a surprise to see Mitchell usurp Neesham from the starting XI, but he may get a chance against one of the weaker opponents to state his case as a specialist batsman.
What They Say: "The World Cup's something you dream of as a little kid and to get the opportunity to come over to Dubai and experience what it's like – the intensity will start to ramp up now."
Age: 29
T20 Caps: 52
T20 Stats: 60 wickets at 21.5, conceding 7.4 runs per over, averages 15.2 at a strike rate of 127
What We Say: A star performer at the 2016 World Cup, Santner will be needed once more to lead the Black Caps' spinning assault, and it's tricky to see the Black Caps shining without Santner playing a major role.
What They Say: "Throughout the IPL the wickets changed, and grounds are different – a Sharjah wicket plays completely different to a Dubai wicket. You have to do your scouting and find what balls work on different surfaces – as a unit I think we'll be pretty prepared."
Age: 35
T20 Caps: 4
T20 Stats: Seven wickets at 11.7, conceding 8.2 runs per over
What We Say: The third spin option in the squad, Astle deserves to bowl ahead of part-time tweakers like Chapman and Phillips if any of the pitches demand a third spinner.
What They Say: "In 2019 I missed out by a small margin on the [ODI] World Cup, and I was devastated. To be part of one is something that I've dreamed of for a long time and to be in the [2021] squad was a really cool feeling."
Age: 26
T20 Caps: 8
T20 Stats: Four wickets at 70.2, conceding 9.8 runs per over
What We Say: New Zealand's shiniest new star at test level, Jamieson has struggled in international T20s, and the IPL, where he leaked almost 10 runs an over. With plenty of bowling options, Jamieson shouldn't be a nailed-on starter.
What They Say: "Guys have been in these positions before and have a lot of experience. We're pretty fortunate to have some great depth and some pretty good bowlers in our group, just trying to work together to get the ultimate outcome."
Age: 32
T20 Caps: 83
T20 Stats: 99 wickets at 25.2, conceding 8.4 runs per over
What We Say: Both Southee and Jamieson could consider themselves lucky to be picked ahead of Adam Milne, and Southee will likely need conditions to be conducive to swing to be selected. Otherwise, he might be running the drinks like in 2016.
What They Say: "For me personally and the guys that were involved in the IPL, there's no better preparation heading into the World Cup here in the same conditions."
Age: 28
T20 Caps: 57
T20 Stats: 73 wickets at 21.7, conceding 8.1 runs per over
What We Say: Not wanted in tests and a sporadic selection in ODIs, this is Sodhi's perfect opportunity – and perfect conditions – to create his legacy.
What They Say: "It's anyone's tournament. Many of the pitches have been used a lot during the second leg of the IPL so it will be interesting to see if they are tired or have been brought back to life with more pace. Then it will be about the teams which adapt to the conditions the best."
Age: 32
T20 Caps: 34
T20 Stats: 46 wickets at 23.3, conceding 8.5 runs per over
What We Say: Rest and rotation has a large part to do with it, but Boult having only played 34 T20s for New Zealand still jumps off the page. He didn't bowl a ball at the 2016 World Cup, but should have more of an impact in 2021.
What They Say: "Our preparation's been building nicely and we're ready to give this tournament a good crack."
Age: 30
T20 Caps: 13
T20 Stats: 24 wickets at 13.2, conceding 6.9 runs per over
What We Say: The jewel in New Zealand's T20 bowling crown – just look at those stats. Extreme pace is a weapon on every wicket, and Ferguson should be bowling four overs in every important game.
What They Say: "It's been a busy winter for me, playing a lot of T20 cricket and The Hundred as well, but I've enjoyed it, learned a lot, and it's nice to be back with the Black Caps."
Age: 29
T20 Caps: 23
T20 Stats: 28 wickets at 21.4, conceding 7.7 runs per over
What We Say: Brutally unlucky to miss out on selection after tearing up the T20 circuit, Milne was only picked as injury cover. However, if someone goes down, the speedster should immediately slot into the starting XI, and could still have an impact on the tournament.
What They Say: "I have to go about it the same as if I was in the team, train and play hard and prepare as well as I can – and if something happens and I've got a chance then I know I'm ready to go."
October 27, 3am – v Pakistan, Sharjah
November 1, 3am – v India, Dubai
November 3, 11pm – v Scotland, Dubai
November 5, 11pm – v Namibia, Sharjah
November 7, 11pm – v Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi
November 11-12 – Semifinals
November 15 - Final
The 22-year-old's selection is about so much more than just statistics.