T20 Cricket World Cup – Semis look best hope for New Zealand

New Zealand are always there or thereabouts in the major cricket tournaments, but they may struggle to reach the latter stages again at the T20 World Cup.

And the bookies tend to agree as New Zealand are 16/1 to claim the trophy in Sri Lanka.

Going on previous tournament form, this may look a big price, given that have reached seven World Cup semi finals across the 50-over and T20 game.

However, the fact they have never reached a final before must be considered a worry, alongside the current strength of their squad.

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New Zealand have always been that rung below the true top teams in terms of squad quality, but because they always field so well and never really play below their level, they are tough to beat.

Meanwhile, if a so-called bigger team does have a bit of an off day, the Black Caps can always be counted upon to capitalise.

But the current squad does not have this aura.

With the bat, Brendan McCullum is the star name, but he may still be living off his 158 in an Indian Premier League game in 2010, which remains the highest score ever in a T20 match.

McCullum has struggled to replicate this and New Zealand will require some kind of form rediscovery in Sri Lanka.

Ross Taylor is the other batsman capable of regular big contributions, but after breaking his arm last year against South Africa, he has not been the same player and has arguably lost some power.

This is obviously a big negative in T20 given the need to hit sixes.

New Zealand almost always escape their group in tournaments and have always made the Super Eights in the three previous T20 World Cups.

It is 2/1 they win Group D, which also includes Pakistan and Bangladesh.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing