In the last decade, New Zealand has been one of the most consistent sides in the cricketing world. Recently they won the World Test Championship and before that, they have made the Finals of the 2015 and 2019 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup. In fact, they were quite unlucky to not win the trophy in the 2019 World Cup when the match and the Super Over ended in a tie.
They have been one of the better sides in the ODI format and have performed well on the big stage. New Zealand has had many great players who have been brilliant in the 50-over format. They don’t only have XI players but a pool of players who have done well for them. So, let us have a look at the best all-time New Zealand XI in ODI cricket history.
Openers – Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill
An explosive opening pair that can take apart any bowling attack in the world. Brendon McCullum was in great form in the 2015 World Cup where he was smashing each and every bowler, left, right and centre. More than the numbers, it was the impact that he made in the New Zealand XI. McCullum has scored 6083 runs at an average of 30.41 and a strike rate of 96.37.
His opening partner is one of the underrated white-ball openers in world cricket. Guptill has scored 6927 runs at an average of 41.98 and a strike rate of 87.74 with a career-best of 237 in the 2015 World Cup. Both these openers are the perfect choice for the all-time best New Zealand XI.
Middle-Order – Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, and Nathan Astle
You can’t really look beyond Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor if you are picking an all-time best New Zealand XI. Williamson averages 47.49 at a strike rate of 81.76 with 13 centuries and 39 fifties to his name. His partner in crime, Ross Taylor, is one of the best No.4s in world cricket.
Taylor has scored more than 8000 ODI runs at an average of 48.18 and a strike rate of 83.36. Nathan Astle scored more than 7000 runs in ODIs and picked up 99 wickets in 223 ODIs. He has the ability to score fast and so would be a perfect choice for the No.5 position.
All-rounder and Spinner – Scott Styris and Daniel Vettori
Scott Styris who is now a regular commentator has been a great performer for New Zealand over the years. Styris scored more than 4000 runs in 188 ODIs and picked up 137 wickets at an economy rate of 4.75. He is one of those seam bowling all-rounders who you would like in your team.
Daniel Vettori is not only the best spinner from New Zealand, but he is also the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in ODI cricket. He has picked up 305 wickets at an average of 31.72 and an economy rate of 4.13. Vettori is the only spinner in the all-time best New Zealand ODI XI.
Bowlers – Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, and Trent Boult
Trent Boult and Tim Southee form a dangerous pair together, but if you include Shane Bond and Kyle Mills it becomes even more dangerous. Shane Bond picked up 147 wickets at an average of 20.88 and an economy rate of 4.29. Mills is the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in ODI cricket. He picked up 240 wickets in 170 games.
Tim Southee has been brilliant with the new white ball, and he has managed to pick up 190 wickets in 143 games at an economy rate of 5.47. Trent Boult being a left-armer will add variety, and he has all the tricks for the death overs. Boult has picked up 169 wickets in just 93 matches at an average of 25.21. This is a great bowling line-up for the all-time best New Zealand ODI XI.
