Thursday, May 7th, 2015

Just One Week To Go Before Black Caps Are In Action At New Road!

Just One Week To Go Before Black Caps Are In Action At New Road!

It's only one week before the World Cup finalists are in action against Worcestershire at New Road!

The Black Caps thrilled fans around the world this winter when jointly hosting the tournament with their brand of attacking cricket.

Now they are to face England – and Worcestershire have been chosen to host their final match ahead of the first Test with England – a four-day fixture from May 14 to 17.

Brendon McCullum's side triumphed in all six of their Pool A games and then overcame the West Indies in the quarter-finals after Martin Guptill achieved the highest ever World Cup score – 237 not out with 11 sixes and 24 fours.

New Zealand were then involved in arguably the game of the tournament in the semi-finals versus South Africa.

They were set a revised target of 298 in 43 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis Method and 36-year-old Grant Elliott smote the penultimate delivery from Dale Steyn for six over long off to win the game.

Only in the final did New Zealand come up short as a half century from former Worcestershire T20 player Steve Smith helped Australia to victory.

New Zealand's Tim Southee produced the best figures of the 2015 tournament with his 7-33 against England and Trent Boult was the leading wicket-taker with 21 at 15.76 until player of the tournament Mitchell Starc's two wickets in the final took him onto the 22 mark.

Guptill ended as the second highest scorer with 532 runs at an average of 76 behind Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara who amassed 541 runs at 108.20.

Now several of these players will be in action at New Road in a game that is not to be missed.