Black Caps World Cup depth chart: Who’s in the mix for the 2027 tournament?

As captain, Mitchell Santner’s place in the side is in no doubt. Aside from being a world-class operator with the white ball, Santner has found a new gear with his batting in the past couple of years on top of being an exceptional fielder. Depending on the make-up of the Black Caps’ best XI, Santner could slot in at No 7 or No 8, but will be the first name on the team sheet when the first ball is bowled in South Africa.

While Kane Williamson’s retirement has left a huge hole in the Black Caps’ plans, Rachin Ravindra has arguably been New Zealand’s best batter across all formats since the 2025 Champions Trophy. The 27-year-old’s record in pinnacle events is world-class – all five of his ODI centuries have so far come in either the Champions Trophy or World Cup – and he will line up at the top of the order.

While there might be some uncertainty if Devon Conway will open or bat at No 3, expect the 35-year-old to be on the plane to play a World Cup in his homeland. Conway’s casual contract and T20 commitments have meant he hasn’t played too much 50-over cricket since the last World Cup, with 11 ODIs in the past three years. However, when you throw in the fact he can also take the gloves in a worst-case scenario, there’s plenty of value in what should be Conway’s last World Cup campaign.

The world’s top-ranked ODI batter, Daryl Mitchell has put forward a case that he’s New Zealand’s best No 4 in the 50-over format, with a lack of matches being the only thing that probably tips the scales in Ross Taylor’s favour. It’s hard to put into words how important Mitchell is to the Black Caps across all formats, but ODIs are easily the arena in which he excels the most.

Across all formats, only Williamson, Taylor and Nathan Astle have scored more centuries for New Zealand than Tom Latham’s 25 – eight of which have come in ODIs. There are few others you’d want walking in at No 5 than the Black Caps’ test captain, with his abilities against spin through the middle overs among the best in the world. Throw in his wicketkeeping and added leadership qualities, and Latham is worth his weight in gold to this side.

With the World Cup to be played in South Africa, the role of a second spinner behind Santner is a question to ask. But Glenn Phillips’ ability to do so while batting in the top six is a huge tick for coach Rob Walter. Phillips looks to be realising his full potential as a batter after his maiden test ton at The Oval, with his fielding also up there with the best in the world.

Next year’s World Cup will be the Black Caps’ first without one of Tim Southee or Trent Boult since 2007. Matt Henry, though, more than fills those shoes. The leader of the attack across formats and the bane of top-order batters the world over. After being forced to be patient to wait for his chance at the highest level, Jacob Duffy has more than made up for lost time. New Zealand’s current Sir Richard Hadlee medallist walks into the Black Caps’ best ODI XI, and will almost certainly share the new ball in South Africa.

Batters

Despite the strength of batting, with most of the top six already nailed-on selections, who takes Williamson’s No 3 spot is arguably the biggest question in this squad. Mark Chapman was given the first go, in the 3-2 ODI series win over the West Indies, but has hardly taken the chance with both hands. A batting average of 32 for New Zealand, down on a career mark of 36.44 thanks to his time with Hong Kong, doesn’t quite do Chapman justice.

Henry Nicholls has a solid base of ODI experience in more than a decade of international cricket but is another whose numbers – averaging 32.63 from 92 matches – don’t exactly leap off the page. Will Young has ably deputised for Williamson in the past and arguably has the best record of the three. However, he averaged 18.82 across 18 ODIs last year, with 107 of his 320 runs coming from one innings against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.

Nick Kelly has been tried as an opener and at No 3 over the past 18 months, and while he hasn’t let himself down, he also hasn’t definitively made a spot his own either. The fact he was made captain of the T20 side in Bangladesh says a lot about how he’s valued within the set-up.

Wicketkeeper

His opportunities across formats may have been limited, but Mitch Hay has hardly put a foot wrong during his brief international career. Clearly the next cab off the ranks in tests and ODIs, but whether the 15-man squad can accommodate a spare wicketkeeper remains to be seen, especially when the likes of Conway can cover Latham.

Allrounders

If the World Cup was played in Asia, Michael Bracewell would be a lock-in. The 35-year-old is an integral part of the Black Caps’ white-ball unit, with his batting, bowling and fielding complemented by his leadership as well.

Along the same lines, Dean Foxcroft’s ability to bat in the top six and bowl spin would have him as a good option to cover for Phillips. As a straight allrounder, there would be questions over Foxcroft’s role as a frontline bowler, with just two wickets from his limited opportunities so far.

Provided he was fit, after a horrid run of injuries, Muhammad Abbas arguably has the biggest upside. He scored the fastest ODI 50 by a New Zealand debutant but his progress has stalled over the past year; however, he did make his comeback in Bangladesh. And while his bowling is yet to completely develop, the fact he’s a left-arm seamer is a big plus for any XI he’s part of.

Bowlers

With South African conditions traditionally assisting fast bowlers, who is picked in the seam department could be decisive for New Zealand’s chances. The pair of Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke are staples in the test side, but are yet to really make themselves undroppable in the shorter formats. Both, though, possess the height and bounce that could make them nightmares in South Africa. While not as prolific as the other two, Blair Tickner’s extra height and bounce also put him in the mix for selection.

Nathan Smith is another to make his mark in test cricket but yet to completely establish himself in the white-ball side. He can win a game with the bat, ball and in the field, so would be an excellent addition to any squad. While not as prolific a batter or fielder as Smith, Zak Foulkes can also be classed in that bracket and has made an excellent start to his ODI career. He also adds a vital point of difference with his ability to swing the ball away from the left-handers.

If extra pace is the go, Ben Sears stands out. While injuries have restricted him to four ODIs so far, back-to-back five-wicket hauls against Pakistan last year show a player up to international standard. As is always the case with express bowlers, though, injuries remain the biggest concern.

Spinners

Again, conditions may dictate how much spin is used, but Jayden Lennox now appears cemented as the back-up to Santner, when needed. A man-of-the-series display in the West Indies after a standout debut series against India has seen the 31-year-old take to international cricket with aplomb this year.

Batters

On paper, Finn Allen stands out as the most exciting option to take Williamson’s place in the squad, opening alongside one of Ravindra or Conway as the other drops to No 3. While his record is modest, Allen is now a better player than he was when he last played an ODI at the end of 2023. The only issue is the fact that, as a T20 freelancer, Allen gets little to no opportunity to play 50-over cricket, with no guarantees that will change.

Tim Seifert fits into the same category as a world-class T20 hired gun and would also answer a question as a back-up gloveman. He’s played an ODI more recently than Allen, too, but would possibly need to give up a T20 contract somewhere in the world to get some 50-over matches under his belt.

In the shortest format, Tim Robinson has shown he can compete with world-class bowlers, evidenced by his century against Australia at Bay Oval. Will need to put together a solid run of scores over the next year if he’s to step into the ODI ranks.

At domestic level, Central Districts’ Curtis Heaphy stands out as the best uncapped 50-over batter New Zealand has. An average of more than 53 at the top of the order, the ability to keep wicket, as well as a century to lead the Stags to victory in the Ford Trophy final point to a player of serious quality. A strike rate of under 70 at domestic level does need improvement in the modern game, though.

Allrounders

Given the demands of three formats, it’s hard to see a world where genuine seam-bowling can continue to exist – with bowlers who can bat a bit and batters who can bowl a bit likely to be the way the cards fall. Depending on what selectors want, though, there are options for the Black Caps.

Kristian Clarke is proving to be the former, and has found himself in all three New Zealand squads within the past year. Handled himself well on debut in India this year against a powerful batting unit on flat pitches, but was underused in the recent series against West Indies.

Josh Clarkson, meanwhile, appears to be in the batter-who-bowls camp. No one hits a cleaner ball on the domestic scene than the 29-year-old, who appears to have figured out his game for Central Districts. A domestic batting average of 28.91 doesn’t tell the full story, but four centuries from 98 lower-order innings are a more than handy return.

Meanwhile, after playing his way into this year’s T20 World Cup squad, Jimmy Neesham could also line up for what would surely be his final tournament. While he might not have played as much 50-over cricket as he’d like, a domestic contract with Auckland will give the 35-year-old plenty of opportunity to stay front of mind for selectors.

Bowlers

Similar to Sears, the pair of Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne would be hard to ignore if selectors want express pace. Both are on casual contracts with NZ Cricket so would need to find a way to show their 50-over wares. Both, though, boast big game experience, and have been part of successful tournament campaigns in the past.

Matt Fisher has made a handy start to his international career, notably in the West Indies over the past few weeks. However, he does appear to have more success with the red ball than he does with the white. Ben Lister has been a staple for New Zealand A and Auckland but is another who hasn’t quite grabbed his international chance when it’s come.

Spinners

With no certainty over the role spin will play, the pair of Ish Sodhi and Adithya Ashok have a lot to do if they’re to snatch a spot in the 15-man squad. Sodhi boasts plenty of experience playing in tournaments and around the world, but finds himself as a de facto T20 specialist. Ashok, meanwhile, clearly has potential and has been in New Zealand squads. However, given the role spin plays in New Zealand conditions, he’s found it hard to get any kind of consistent international experience unless it’s come away from home. Still has plenty of time on his side to develop into a world beater, though.

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.