Cricket World Cup: What ifs ... the plans B, C and more in the event that things don't quite go as planned

What if Jason Holder secures late wickets, a la Mitchell Starc? Photo / AP

Andrew Alderson looks at how New Zealand might adapt to six tricky scenarios in today’s quarter-final against the West Indies.

1. What if New Zealand win the toss and bowl first?
Given the emphatic bowl-first-chase-few efforts in their last two ODI outings at Wellington, Brendon McCullum would probably prefer to set four slips, a gully, deep point, cover, mid-on and fine leg for the West Indies batsmen before unleashing Tim Southee and Trent Boult. However, they could bat first and back themselves to make 287 or better as three of the five teams have done this year. Only England's 309 for six was chased down. The wicket shouldn't pose any problems, but pressure systems might when it comes to swing.

2. What if Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson are dismissed cheaply?
New Zealand found an answer in their last match against Bangladesh. McCullum exited for eight and Williamson for one, leaving the order under pressure at 33 for two in the fifth over chasing 289 to win. Martin Guptill (105), Ross Taylor (56), Grant Elliott (39) and Corey Anderson (39) responded. The situation was rare as it was Williamson's first single figure ODI dismissal in 24 innings since Boxing Day 2013.

3. What if the batting crisis gets worse with more batsmen going cheaply?
A solution was evident during the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka in Dunedin.

New Zealand slumped to 93 for five after a Guptill diamond duck, a cheap Anderson dismissal and McCullum, Williamson and Taylor unable to progress beyond starts.

Luke Ronchi with 170 runs off 99 balls and Grant Elliott with 104 off 96 produced a world record partnership of 267 for the sixth-wicket.

Their wily professionalism imbued the team with renewed confidence.

4. What if Jason Holder or Jerome Taylor secure late wickets, a la Mitchell Starc?
Williamson, Taylor, Elliott, Anderson or Ronchi have hung with the tail in the past; Williamson, Anderson and Ronchi have even done it this summer.

However, little in New Zealand's ODI history of batting with the tail compares to Williamson hitting a six to beat Australia with New Zealand nine wickets down at Eden Park.

The repeated footage of the guy in the 1992 World Cup shirt jumping up-and-down uncontrollably in the first television cut to the crowd reaction sums up the public reaction as well as anything.

5. What if Daniel Vettori goes at, horror of horrors, a run-a-ball?
This occurred at Wellington in January when Sri Lanka showed scant respect. It was the first time Vettori had conceded more than six-an-over in 44 ODIs. It was also the first time in 42 innings since September 2009 he had not completed his allotment of 10 overs in a 50-over innings. New Zealand lost that game, which highlights Vettori's importance, but there should be enough experience in the pace attack to provide alternatives. In this circumstance, extra penetration or parsimony will be required from Adam Milne, Corey Anderson or Grant Elliott.

6. What if the ball doesn't swing?
Two options appeal. The first is that Adam Milne's pace might beat the West Indies off the pitch. The second relies on Vettori halting the opposition flow by coming on in the bowling powerplay or wherever required.