First look: New Zealand

The perennial fighters in World Cricket tournaments are for me, the dark horses going into 2015 WC. New Zealand once again have the ingredients that are reminiscent of the '92 journey: good batting, very useful all-rounders and an inspired captain making bold moves. What they also have from their recent test match heroics - a potent new ball pair.

A look at the squad ....

Daniel Vettori returns to NZ squad and brings a wealth of experience in bowling department along with Kyle Mills. Brendon McCullum leads as a pure batsman as Luke Ronchi takes the wicket keeping role. Grant Elliot replaces Neesham as an all-rounder lower down the order. Batting has been fairly stable in the last 1-2 years and there are no surprises there.

Strengths -

Good batting depth and an exciting crop of new ball bowlers are big advantages for this side. Boult and Southee form a formidable new ball pair and they have decent support from Milne, Mills and McClenaghan. Bowling abilities of Anderson and Elliot will help balance the squad with spinners who can both bat. Middle order is fairly strong with McCullum (if he does not open), Williamson, Taylor. 

Weaknesses - 

If anything, the openers will need to fire to get them good starts, Guptill and Latham may open or be replaced by McCullum based on form. Vettori has always been a miserly spinner and Nathan McCullum always gives his 100% but there are no exceptional wicket taking abilities in the middle overs. Games against SL, Pak prior to WC will give an indication of the choices they make.

Prediction - NZ are going to be playing all of their league matches at home and also QF and SF if they qualify. With a very balanced side,, home advantages and players in form, I back them to go a step further this time and make the WC final for the first time in their history.