The New Zealand team came oh-so-close to getting their hands on the coveted ICC World Cup 2019 trophy, only to be kept away from it thanks to a rule which suggested that if the Super Over is also tied, the team with most boundaries in the match will win.
Kane Williamson and his side fought hard in every match and barely scraped through to the finals by beating India in a heart-stopping match in Manchester. But who knew that the final would be a better one when it comes to cricket classics, the final between New Zealand and England went right down to the wire, twice. The match ended up in the tie and then the super over also ended in the tie, but England managed to win thanks to ICC ruling.
The Black Caps team was amazing right till the end and Team COC brings to you the Player ratings for the World Cup.
Here are the COC Players Ratings for New Zealand team
KANE WILLIAMSON- 10/10
Kane Williamson won the Man of the Tournament for his 578 runs in 10 matches with two centuries ad two half-centuries. Williamson was the lynchpin of the batting lineup as others played some cameos around him. He scored 148 against West Indies and was the prized wicket for the opposition whenever New Zealand played.
LOCKIE FERGUSON- 10/10
Lockie Ferguson not only bowled fast, but he bowled with intent. He picked 21 wickets with a best of 4/37 and got a breakthrough whenever he was called upon by his captain. He was tremendous when the ball swung and was the go-to man for Williamson in the death overs, thanks to his pinpoint yorkers.
JAMES NEESHAM- 8/10
Jimmy Neesham made a spirited comeback into the game after being away from it for 18 months and was a major contributor in New Zealand making it into the finals. He made 232 runs with the highest score of 97* and also picked 15 wickets with best bowling figures of 5/31. He even kept the Kiwis’ hopes alive in the Super over by smashing 13 runs, including a six to Archer.
ROSS TAYLOR- 7/10
Ross Taylor played a supporting role to Williamson with the bat and made 350 runs with three half-centuries. His most important innings came against India in the semifinals as his 74 helped the Kiwis make over 240 runs, which proved to be enough to keep the no.1 ranked team at the bay.
TRENT BOULT- 7/10
Trent Boult picked 17 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 4.83. However, his bowling in the finals against England left much to be desired. His fielding, which was usually amazing, lacked conviction as he trotted onto the boundary ropes after taking Stokes’ catch. However, he will be always remembered for taking the prized scalp of Virat Kohli in the semi-final match.
MATT HENRY- 7/10
Matt Henry proved why he was the right pick in the New Zealand squad. He got 14 wickets in the tournament, out of which two came in the semifinals against India. Henry bowled fast and got the ball to swing and move off the pitch, making him lethal.
COLIN DE GRANDHOMME- 6/10Colin de Grandhomme made 190 runs and picked 6 wickets in the tournament. He made two half-centuries, out of which his score of 60 against South Africa came in a match-winning partnership with his captain Williamson.
COLIN MUNRO- 4/10
Colin Munro made 125 runs in 6 matches he played with the best score of 58*. However, his weakness against spin and ball moving at a high pace in the air, meant that Henry Nicholls replaced him in the latter part of the World Cup.
MITCHELL SANTNER- 4/10
Mitchell Santner picked 6 wickets in 10 matches and mainly did the role of keeping the runs down in the middle overs. He also made handful contributions scoring a total of 72 runs as well.
HENRY NICHOLLS- 3/10
Henry Nicholls picked played four games and made 91 runs including the highest score of 55 in the finals, which was also the top score for Kiwis in the match.
MARTIN GUPTILL- 1/10
Martin Guptill just couldn’t catch a break in this tournament. With the bat, he scored a measly 186 runs with the best score of 73*. However, he will be remembered for two of his throws from the outfield. One throw came in the semi-finals of the tournament, which caught MS Dhoni short of the crease and ended India’s hopes. The other throw was against England in the final, which hit Ben Stokes’ bat and went for four overthrows, bringing the hosts into the game.
TOM LATHAM- 1/10
Tom Latham was made to bat in the middle order but managed just 155 runs with the best score of 57 in a disappointing performance.
ISH SODHI- 1/10
Ish Sodhi played one game and couldn’t get a wicket.
TIM SOUTHEE- 1/10
Tim Southee picked one wicket for 70 runs in the only match he played.