Cricket World Cup 2019: Blackcaps face selection dilemma with Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee set for return

The Blackcaps' push towards the World Cup semi-finals faces its toughest test to date, with India looming on Thursday night.

New Zealand have coasted through their opening three games, aside from a slight wobble against Bangladesh, but the reality is they've played the three lowest-ranked nations at the tournament.

While the form of key players Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Lockie Ferguson has been pleasing, the impending returns of Henry Nicholls and Tim Southee leave the selectors with a few headaches.

New Zealand appear a little off-balance playing two all-rounders in Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme, so Nicholls may slot into the middle order to strengthen the batting.

"You have to play Nicholls," says Newshub sports reporter Henry Rounce.

"He starred with the bat in that five or six spot in the summer, so he must come in - probably for de Grandhomme.

"Colin Munro stays at the top and bowls a few overs if he needs to."

Cricket World Cup 2019: Blackcaps face selection dilemma with Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee set for return
Photo credit: Newshub.
Cricket World Cup 2019: Blackcaps face selection dilemma with Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee set for return

As for the Indians, they look impressive. Arguably, they possess the best top five at the tournament and in Jasprit Bumrah, they have the best limited-overs bowler on the planet.

Rain is forecast for Nottingham on Thursday night, so potentially New Zealand could play for a semi-final spot against South Africa next Wednesday night.

Watch the video for full discussion of the Blackcaps' Cricket World Cup campaign.

Newshub.

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