New Zealand cricket team may be forced to make a last-minute change to their otherwise perfect playing XI for the Champions Trophy final against India. The Kiwis punched their ticket for the final after beating South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final on Wednesday. An injury to Matt Henry during the tie has cast aspersions on his availability for the final. Will New Zealand use this opportunity to field an extra spinner for the marquee clash in Dubai on Sunday?
New Zealand’s predicted XI for Champions Trophy final vs India
1. Will Young
2. Rachin Ravindra
3. Kane Williamson
4. Daryll Mitchell
5. Tom Latham (WK)
6. Glenn Phillips
7. Michael Bracewell
8. Mitchell Santner (C)
9. Matt Henry / Mark Chapman
10. Kyle Jamieson
11. William O’Rourke
On bench: Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith
No change to batting line-up
New Zealand’s batters are in the form of their lives, heading into the finals against India. The Kiwis will retain the right-left hand opening combo of Will Young and Rachin Ravindra. This means Devon Conway will continue to warm the bench. Rachin and veteran Williamson slammed tons each in the semi-final against SA to power NZ to a mammoth 362-run total. Like India, New Zealand also boast of an enviable batting depth that stretches all the way till number 10.
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Matt Henry doubtful, will NZ play extra spinner?
Matt Henry had hurt his shoulder during the semi-final against SA on Wednesday. While he did come back after leaving the field briefly, captain Santner provided an update on his status. He had said that Henry’s shoulder was still sore and that the team would have to wait for a couple of days before taking a call.
While there is no doubt that Henry is one of the most experienced pacers in the Kiwi bowling attack, his absence can allow NZ to boost their spin unit with the addition of Chapman. Santner and co. will be wary of the spin factor and Dubai and would like to avenge their loss to India in the group stage of CT 2025. Should Henry be fit to play on Sunday, then he is an automatic inclusion in the playing XI. It will be interesting to see if NZ will then continue with their 3-pacer strategy then.
