New Zealand have named Kane Williamson as the captain for their 15-member squad in the upcoming ODI World Cup after he worked his way back from an injury suffered while playing for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023. A mistimed leap towards the boundary ended with Williamson tearing the ACL of his right knee, and the star batter has not made an appearance since.
New Zealand squad for World Cup:
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc,wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Will Young.
The side is a perfect balance of experience and young talent with veterans like Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson as the captain leading the line. But a lot of eyes will also be on the World Cup debutants.
Spotlight on World Cup Debuts
While seasoned players like Williamson and Southee are preparing for their fourth World Cup stint, there's a surge of new energy with debutants joining the squad. Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips are set to don the New Zealand jersey in an ODI World Cup for the first time.
Furthermore, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra are additional names making their inaugural appearance in a World Cup cadre. Their inclusion is a testament to New Zealand's commitment to infuse young talent with seasoned experience, aiming for a balanced team dynamic.
New Zealand World Cup schedule
With the World Cup scheduled from October 5 to November 19, 2023, New Zealand is not just participating but is aiming for the coveted trophy. The return of their captain, Kane Williamson, is not just about adding runs on the board or guiding the team with strategies; it's about the moral boost and the confidence his presence instils in the team.
New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023 Full schedule
| FIXTURE | DATE | VENUE |
| New Zealand vs England | October 5 | Ahmedabad |
| New Zealand vs Qualifier 1 | October 9 | Hyderabad |
| New Zealand vs Bangladesh | October 14 | Chennai |
| New Zealand vs Afghanistan | October 18 | Chennai |
| New Zealand vs India | October 22 | Dharamsala |
| New Zealand vs Australia | October 28 | Dharamsala |
| New Zealand vs South Africa | November 1 | Pune |
| New Zealand vs Pakistan | November 4 | Bengaluru |
| New Zealand vs Qualifier 2 | November 9 | Bengaluru |
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