How they rated: Black Caps T20 player ratings
Thirteen completed matches, 10 wins, four series victories. A year on from the 5-0 humiliation at home against India, this was a roaring success and a step forward for the Black Caps in Twenty20 international cricket.
As 10 of them jet off to the Indian Premier League, we rate the 23 players used this season and assess their chances of T20 World Cup selection for India in October.
MARTIN GUPTILL
13 innings, 403 runs at 31, strike rate 153, highest score 97
Rating: 8.5
Went from bereft to the Guptill of old with one breakout innings in Dunedin. The numbers, and Guptill’s relaxed demeanour, speak for themselves, and his rollicking show with Finn Allen at Eden Park gave a hint of what the duo can offer later this year.
T20 World Cup: In.
TIM SEIFERT
9 innings, 238 runs at 29.75, SR 122, HS 84no
Rating: 4
Started well but couldn’t buy a run against Australia, as Devon Conway emerged as a legitimate wicketkeeping option in the top XI. Off to train with Brendon McCullum at the IPL which can’t be a bad thing, and needs to rediscover that swagger he began the season with.
T20 World Cup: Likely squad member but no longer guaranteed in the XI.
FINN ALLEN
3 innings, 88 runs at 29.33, SR 220, HS 71
Rating: 7.5
The Auckland rain clearing was the best thing to happen for Allen whose hand speed and rifle-shot ball striking was a treat. To do it at international level after a first-baller was a relief. Now gets to train with Virat Kohli in the IPL to further hone his craft in Indian conditions.
T20 World Cup: In.
WILL YOUNG
2 innings, 67 runs at 33.5, SR 143, HS 53
Rating: 7
A confident, assured debut in Hamilton and showed the hitting power we saw at times in Super Smash. Like Conway has an all-round game for all three formats.
T20 World Cup: Borderline, but could sneak in as a backup batsman.
KANE WILLIAMSON
7 innings, 140 runs at 23.33, SR 124, HS 57no
Rating: 6
Quiet by his standards before it was revealed he was struggling with an elbow injury. His brilliant 57 not out in Dunedin was overshadowed by Guptill’s onslaught. Undisputed as skipper and No 3.
T20 World Cup: In.
DEVON CONWAY
11 innings, 473 runs at 59.12, SR 151, HS 99no
Rating: 9.5
Simply mind-boggling numbers with the bat, as he’s produced for several seasons in Wellington. Glovework was also slick, and should get first crack in the subcontinent later in the year. Ideally he’d bat as high as possible, but No 4 looks his spot which is not ideal but little seems to faze him.
In.
T20 World Cup: GLENN PHILLIPS
12 innings, 366 runs at 40.66, SR 185, HS 108; 7.3 overs, 2 wickets at 28.5, economy rate 7.6, best bowling 1-11
Rating: 9
Brought high energy, hitting power, fielding brilliance and very handy offspin in an excellent season. Thankfully his kneecap stayed in after some horrors against West Indies, and confirmed himself as a must-select in the top XI. T20 World Cup: In.
MARK CHAPMAN
4 innings, 60 runs at 20, SR 150, HS 34; 3 overs, 1-18
Rating: 6.5
A bit-part player but showed he can hit hard and offer some accurate leftarm spin in the right conditions. Good fielder too, a valuable squad member: T20 World Cup: Likely.
JIMMY NEESHAM
7 innings, 139 runs at 34.75, SR 185, HS 48no; 14.3 overs, 5 wickets at 34, ER 11.7, BB 2-10 Rating: 7
Compelling, matchwinning all-round performance in Dunedin before copping some punishment from Glenn Maxwell in Wellington. Still in the top XI as the allrounder, and still seeking consistency with the ball in those high octane death overs.
T20 World Cup: In
DARYL MITCHELL
2 innings, 45 runs at 45, SR 205, HS 34no; 2 overs, 0-21 Rating: 6.5
Continued his all-round form for Canterbury with some nice cameos in black, although his bowling was often overlooked which was odd. Can do a job with the ball.
T20 World Cup: Likely, especially if they take a 20-man squad.
MITCHELL SANTNER
25.3 overs, 8 wickets at 23.87, ER 7.5, BB 4-31; 5 innings, 53 runs at 26.5, SR 143, HS 31no Rating: 8
Was badly missed against Australia when unwell and showed his class on return. One of New Zealand’s MVPs heading to India and his combination with Ish Sodhi is key to their hopes.
T20 World Cup: In.
ISH SODHI
38 overs, 20 wickets at 15.45, ER 8.1, BB 4-28
Rating: 8.5 Rediscovered his confidence and wicket-taking knack, even getting lucky with a couple of full tosses in Wellington. A vital member of the squad, as he was in India in 2016, and will be kept honest by Todd Astle. T20 World Cup: In.
KYLE JAMIESON
28.4 overs, 4 wickets at 70.25, ER 9.8, BB 2-15
Rating: 3
Has all the attributes for a top T20 bowler but still trying to find the right formula. A lack of variation was exposed by Australia’s hitters, and he heads to a big money IPL deal to develop his craft.
T20 World Cup: Likely, but will need to perform in the subcontinent.
TIM SOUTHEE
44 overs, 21 wickets at 16.71, ER 8, BB 4-21
Rating: 8.5
From last summer’s super over horrors to a calm, assured finish as skipper, Southee transferred his outstanding test form to the shortest format. With the ball swinging is still a menace and has enough tricks to be solid in latter overs too.
T20 World Cup: In.
LOCKIE FERGUSON
15 overs, 10 wickets at 9.4, ER 6.3, BB 5-21
Rating: 8.5
Downright frightening in his fivewicket bag against West Indies, and made a speedy comeback from the dreaded spinal stress fracture. Fingers crossed no injury setbacks in the IPL, then England with Yorkshire, and Ferguson will be one of New Zealand’s key men in India.
T20 World Cup: In.
TRENT BOULT
27 overs, 7 wickets at 31.42, ER 8.1, BB 2-22
Rating: 6.5
Bowled better than his figures suggested, coming off a starring role for IPL champions Mumbai late last year. Goes well in India and remains a difficult man to drop from the Black Caps’ top XI. T20 World Cup: In.
ADAM MILNE
5 overs, 3 wickets at 19.33, ER 11.6, BB 2-34
Rating: 6.5
Another to make a compelling comeback, from ankle surgery, and threatened 150kmh in Napier. Showed his class in Australia’s Big Bash and, fully fit, can be a key man in India and a potential lethal combination with Ferguson on the right day.
T20 World Cup: In.
SCOTT KUGGELEIJN
11 overs, 5 wickets at 20, ER 9.1, BB 3-27
Rating: 7
Played well before Christmas when required and has the X-factor pace of Ferguson and Milne, but when they’re fit he slips down the pecking order.
T20 World Cup: Unlikely.
HAMISH BENNETT
9.5 overs, 3 wickets at 33.66, ER 10.3, BB 2-31
Rating: 5
Minimal chances and modest figures, but remains a highly respected T20 bowler and leader who the selectors rate. Still has something to offer, although the queue is crowded.
T20 World Cup: Likely.
One match only (no rating):
TODD ASTLE
2 overs, 4 wickets at 3.25, ER 6.5, BB 4-13
Badly needed those two overs at Eden Park just to remind the hierarchy what he can do. Seized his chance.
T20 World Cup: In, as third spinner.
JACOB DUFFY
4 overs, 4 wickets at 8.25, ER 8.25, BB 4-33
Dream debut way back in December when frontliners were out, and looked the part.
T20 World Cup: Only if injuries strike.
BLAIR TICKNER
4 overs, 1 wicket at 35, ER 8.75, BB 1-35
A very good T20 bowler but still well down the Black Caps queue when everyone is fit.
T20 World Cup: Unlikely.
Also:
ROSS TAYLOR
(2 innings, 0 runs off 4 balls)
Fair point Taylor made when observing he faced just four balls before being dropped, after being named T20 player of 2019-20. Still, Conway and Phillips proved inspired selections and with Chapman offering a bowling option, Taylor will struggle to force his way back into the reckoning.
T20 World Cup: Unlikely.