New Zealand coach Gary Stead believes up to 30 players could be pushing for selection at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
New Zealand begin their ICC World Cup Super League campaign this week against Bangladesh. This is the first step for the Black Caps in the qualifying process for the next World Cup for men.
While Stead still has two years to break down his list of players for the World Cup, he knows it won’t be easy. He also knows that this is a very good problem for the Black Caps as they run the first World Cup trophy for men.
“It’s exciting as a coach to sit around the selection table and start looking at the names you hope to keep coming through as they develop,” he said. Stead. “It’s hard to write down 15 names when up to 30 people might be looking for those spots. That’s a great place to be.
“The strength of New Zealand cricket is currently evident in the Black Caps but it is also driven from being lower than that by our A programs in New Zealand. The domestic game is in good spirits too as we Bringing out people who are achieving well when they reach international level. ”
With captain Kane Williamson (elbow) ruled out of the series and Ross Taylor (hamstring) the first game, contestants for selection at the next World Cup will have the opportunity to start picking up their issues this week against Bangladesh.
Saturday’s series opener is the first ODI where New Zealand have been without both Williamson and Taylor since 2014.
The absence opens the door for possible ODI debates for Devon Conway and Will Young, while Daryl Mitchell is totally hoping to get his first ODI cap in order medium.
“They are two positions in the order that we have a lot of faith in and strength in New Zealand cricket,” Stead said of the No.3 and 4 slots in the batting order. “The opportunity for Devon and Will to come in is very exciting for them. They are both the great players we have seen in our domestic form and also international cricket so far. “
Devon Conway has shone on the international stage.
Young has played two trials so far and has shone in New Zealand’s warm-up games in Brisbane ahead of the 2019 World Cup, beating two centuries against Australia but sitting out of the competition due to shoulder surgery.
Conway played his first T20I run in the summer and has excelled on stage so far, averaging 52.28 over his first 11 games.
Tom Latham will captain New Zealand without Williamson.