Netherlands face stern test after New Zealand's high-flying start

NEW DELHI: The Cricket World Cup continues to heat up as

New Zealand

and the

Netherlands

prepare to face off on Monday following their respective opening matches. This encounter holds significant importance for both teams as they aim to make their mark in the tournament.
New Zealand made a strong statement in their campaign opener, defeating defending champions England by a commanding margin of nine wickets. Despite England's competitive total of 282 for nine, New Zealand showcased their prowess by successfully chasing the target in 36.2 overs. Key contributions from Devon Conway (152 not out) and

Rachin Ravindra

(123 not out) highlighted the team's determination.
However, New Zealand played this match without their regular captain, Kane Williamson, who is still in the process of regaining full match fitness following an ACL injury sustained during this year's IPL. Tom Latham, who led the team against England, will continue to captain the side against the Netherlands, as Williamson is not yet fully match-fit. Kiwi head coach Gary Stead stated, "At this stage with Kane, we are looking like the third game is when he will start the tournament."

In addition to Williamson's absence, the team may also miss veteran pacer Tim Southee due to a broken and dislocated thumb. However, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is expected to be available provided he passes a fitness test.
On the other side of the contest, the Netherlands faced a challenging encounter against Pakistan in their World Cup debut. Although Pakistan secured an 81-run victory, the Dutch displayed early promise by dismissing three Pakistani batters during the powerplay.

Despite their solid bowling performance, the Netherlands need more consistency in their middle-order batting. Skipper Scott Edwards has struggled to reach the 30-run mark in his last four ODIs.
Historically, New Zealand has enjoyed dominance over the Netherlands, winning all four previous encounters. As they prepare to face each other once more, both teams understand the significance of securing a crucial victory to enhance their prospects in the Cricket World Cup.
Squads:
Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c/w), Colin Ackermann, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Ryan Klein, Teja Nidamanuru, Max O'Dowd, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Vikramjit Singh.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (w), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
Match starts: 2:00 pm.