New Zealand's Cricket World Cup story so far: Best players, results, stats
New Zealand take on England in the Cricket World Cup final this weekend – but what are the host nation up against?
New Zealand has exceeded all expectations in reaching the Cricket World Cup final, but will be determined to go one step further and leave the UK clutching the trophy.
The Black Caps have enjoyed a terrific tournament, beating India in the semi-finals to secure their place against England in the showpiece match.
The match will be shown on free-to-air TV with Channel 4 striking a deal to show Sky Sports' coverage on Sunday afternoon.
For many tuning in, this will be their first taste of the Cricket World Cup in 2019, but what do you need to know?
RadioTimes.com has rounded up everything you need to know about New Zealand ahead of the Cricket World Cup final, including their CWC story so far, the key players to watch and big results from the tournament so far.
The story so far...
New Zealand raced into an unlikely lead in the Cricket World Cup after winning their opening five games – plus an abandoned clash with India due to rain.
The Black Caps kick-started their tournament with an eye-opening destruction of Sri Lanka.
They bowled out the East Asian nation for just 136 after less than 30 overs and quickly caught their total after just 16 overs without dropping a wicket.
New Zealand beat the teams they were expected to beat, but lost three in a row to end the regular fixtures.
Pakistan, Australia and England all took their pound of flesh from New Zealand who ended up beating all of the bottom five but failed to win against any of the top five.
New Zealand's credentials were in serious doubt going into the knockout rounds, but rallied to stun India with a phenomenal display.
Rahul, Kohli and India's star performer Rohit Sharma were all dismissed for one run each after three overs. The score stood at 5/3.
Ravinda Jadeja produced a spirited 77 off 59 balls but it was not enough to chase a not-uncatchable 239 set by New Zealand.
They now head into the final equally buoyant. Lessons will have been learned from the Durham debacle against England, but do they have the consistency and depth to trouble England at Lord's?
New Zealand Cricket team best players
Kane Williamson – The captain has led by example with only one innings under 40 runs with the bat, and even then he managed a not-abysmal 27. He knocked South Africa and Sri Lanka for 254 runs in just under 50 overs combined between both games, demonstrating his hitting strength and sticking power.
Lockie Ferguson – The fast-bowler has taken a wicket in all-but one game so far and recorded a 19.94 bowling average during his eight innings so far. Only Mitchell Starc has breached the sub-20 mark out of bowlers to feature in eight or more innings. Ferguson will look to starve Roy and Bairstow in a spell which could define the final.
New Zealand Cricket team stats
Most runs
- Kane Williamson – 548 (from 8 innings)
- Ross Taylor – 335 (from 8 innings)
- Jimmy Neesham – 213 (from 7 innings)
Most wickets
- Lockie Ferguson – 18 (from 8 innings)
- Trent Boult – 17 (from 9 innings)
- Matt Henry – 13 (from 8 innings)
England v New Zealand: How to watch Cricket World Cup final on free-to-air TV
Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
