The importance of good fielding in cricket does not need an explanation. Apart from saving runs for the team, the players use fielding placements to remove the batters from the crease as well. The fielders are placed in the batters’ strong zone to take hold of any lofted shot. These brain games ensure the success of a team in big tournaments like the T20I World Cups. Over the years, the great fielding performances of the Kiwi players has been in the limelight across the globe. In this article, we will take a look at the most catches caught by a New Zealand player in the T20I World Cups.
1. Martin Guptill
We start off the list with Martin Guptill. Guptill caught 19 catches in 28 matches between 2009 and 2021. The right-handed opening batter has been scoring runs consistently for New Zealand. Guptill’s double century in the quarter-finals of the 2015 ODI World Cup is quite famous.
2. Kane Williamson
On number two, we have Kane Williamson. Kane has caught 15 catches in 25 innings of the T20I World Cups since 2012. The top-order batter had been a wonder kid since his teenage days. By the time he is finished playing cricket, it is possible that he will be the greatest batter New Zealand has ever seen.
3. Ross Taylor
Next up is Ross Taylor, with 14 catches in 28 matches between 2007 and 2016. Taylor is regarded as one of the unsung heroes of his decade. The former captain has been the fulcrum of New Zealand’s batting across formats.
4. Nathan McCullum
On the fourth spot, we have Nathan McCullum. Nathan bagged 13 catches in 22 innings between 2007 and 2016. The off-spinning all-rounder is Brendon McCullum’s elder brother. He made his debut for the team in the inaugural T20I World Cup in South Africa.
5. Tim Southee
Standing on number five, we have Tim Southee. Tim caught 8 catches in 22 matches between 2010 and 2022. He made his international debut in great style; he was only 19 years old then. Over the next decade, Southee went on to become one of the greatest new-ball bowlers, along with his partner Trent Boult.
6. Brendon McCullum
Making it to the sixth place on this list is Brendon McCullum. Brendon caught 7 catches in 14 innings of 25 matches during his T20I World Cup career between 2007 and 2014. Brendon’s batting was a delight to watch. He used to bruise the bowling attack like no other batter during his time. He was also the team’s wicketkeeper.
7. Corey Anderson
On number seven, we have Corey Anderson, who has 6 catches to his name. He played nine matches in the T20I world Cups of 2014 and 2016. He had always been known for his powerful striking. He also held the record for the fastest ODI century (36 balls) during that time.
8. Finn Allen
Taking the eighth position on this list is Finn Allen. Allen has 5 catches to his name in the only five matches he played in the latest edition of the T20I World Cups, 2022. The top-order batter is also an occasional wicketkeeper for the team.
9. James Franklin
With 5 catches in eight matches during 2009-2012, James Franklin stands in ninth place on this list. James began his career as a left-arm medium-fast bowler who could swing the ball. However, he later morphed into an effective all-rounder. He made his international debut at a very young age.
10. Daryl Mitchell
Making it to the final place on this list of elite fielders is Daryl Mitchell. In the T20I World Cups of 2021 and 2022, Daryl has caught 5 catches in 11 matches. The right-handed all-rounder made his international debut against India in February 2019. However, he had already impressed the crowd before, while playing as a replacement for Colin de Grandhomme.
