Challenges lie in world cup draw

THE back half of the World Cup campaign could define the tournament for the New Zealanders.

The schedule for the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England and Wales was released yesterday and the Black Caps have a tricky finish to the roundrobin stage.

All 10 teams will play each other once and the top four teams progress to the semifinals.

The Black Caps will want to bank some early wins, considering they have two tough games at the end of the roundrobin stage.

They play Australia in a repeat of the 2015 final at Lord’s on June 29 and four days later, will play England at Riverside Ground in ChesterleStreet.

New Zealand beat Australia during pool play in 2015 in a tense lowscoring thriller. Kane Williamson hit a six to complete a onewicket victory at Eden Park.

But Australia was too good in the final, winning by seven wickets.

The rematch is one of four daynight games the Black Caps will play during the group stage.

The Black Caps’ opening game is against Sri Lanka in

Cardiff on June 1, followed by fixtures against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The matches against India on June 13 and South Africa on June 19 could be crucial in terms of sorting out the top four places.

Based on current ICC rankings, India and South Africa would be expected to reach the semifinals.

A couple of wins during that period would set the Black Caps up for their matches against the West Indies on June 22 and Pakistan on June 26.

Black Caps leftarmer Trent Boult was one of the bowlers of the tournament in 2015 and was looking forward to another attempt to lift the trophy.

‘‘The UK is an exciting place to play cricket, with the history of the sport in the country,’’ he said in a press release.

‘‘To go there and play at the grounds against the best players in the world is a dream come true.’’

Punishing opening batsman Colin Munro will also be pinching himself if selected.

‘‘A lot of preparation goes into winning a World Cup, knowledge of different grounds and surfaces and makeup of the team. There is a lot of excitement for me to be involved in a oneday World Cup, as I haven’t been involved in one before.’’

The tournament will be played across 11 venues from May 30 to July 14.

Boult said the format was appealing, with everybody playing each other and the best teams making the playoffs.

‘‘It is an interesting format. It is going to take a few weeks, but it is exciting to play every team and I am sure it will bring out the best in everyone.

‘‘Everyone’s dream is to lift the World Cup. We were very close in 2015 — just one short.

‘‘If we can put on similar performances over the last few years then we are in with a very good chance.

‘‘We have a wellbalanced side. We have put together some good performances and it is all about taking that game plan abroad now for the World Cup.’’