Scott Clark
Nov 17, 2023 - 01:30

Cricket World Cup: Black Caps ratings after semifinal exit India

New Zealand's World Cup ends with defeat to India. Breakout star Ravindra matches Williamson's record. Champions England had a disastrous tournament.

New Zealand's World Cup journey came to an end with a defeat to hosts and title favorites India. While it was an earlier exit than in previous World Cups, it was still a commendable effort, especially considering the disappointing performance of defending champions England.

The Black Caps began the tournament with a resounding victory over England and maintained their dominance against lower-ranked teams. However, they were unable to secure wins against India, Australia, and South Africa in the later stages of the competition.

One of the standout players for the Black Caps was Ravindra, who finished with an impressive 578 runs in 10 innings, matching the record set by Kane Williamson in 2019. His centuries against England, Australia, and Pakistan showcased his potential as a big-time player with a promising future.

Devon Conway also made a strong start to the tournament with an unbeaten 152 against England but failed to maintain that form in subsequent matches. Will Young, who initially lost his spot to Ravindra, had a solid but unspectacular performance, while Kane Williamson, who missed six group games due to injury, made a strong comeback.

Daryl Mitchell emerged as a key player for the Black Caps, making significant contributions in crucial matches against India and other top teams. However, Tom Latham's performance was disappointing, with minimal impact on the team's overall performance.

Glenn Phillips had a decent tournament, contributing with the bat and ball, while Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham had mixed performances. Mitchell Santner was the highest wicket-taker for the Black Caps, while Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Trent Boult also made valuable contributions.

Overall, the Black Caps' World Cup campaign was marked by standout performances from individual players, as well as some areas of underperformance. Despite the early exit, the team showed resilience and determination, which bodes well for their future prospects.