Opinion: Blackcaps' Twenty20 World Cup player ratings (so far)

OPINION: Even with one game still remaining, New Zealand have made history to even reach the final of Twenty20 World Cup final in the UAE.

Since losing their tournament opener to Pakistan, the Blackcaps are unbeaten in their last five outings to set up Monday morning's final against Australia.

Before the NZ side attempt to claim a second world title in 2021, here's how the players rate:

Martin Guptill 7

(180 runs @ 30, strike rate 131.38, high score 93)

That heroic innings against Scotland aside, this World Cup has been a quiet one for New Zealand’s greatest white-ball batsman.

The opener has reached double figures in all but one of his innings, but only passed 50 on one occasion.

Martin Guptill against Scotland.
Martin Guptill against Scotland. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

Batting coach Luke Ronchi predicted big things for Guptill at this World Cup, so here's hoping for one last hurrah in Monday's final.

Daryl Mitchell 9 

(197 runs @ 39.40, strike rate 140.71, high score 72*)

The find of the tournament for New Zealand and potentially T20 franchises around the globe.

Backed as a surprise candidate to open the batting by selectors, Mitchell has made the spot his own. In six innings at the top of the order, Mitchell has topscored in three of them - admittedly, the bonus of having the chance to walk out first.

Daryl Mitchell celebrates scoring the winning runs against England.
Daryl Mitchell celebrates scoring the winning runs against England. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

But the 'how' has been just as important as the 'how many'. Mitchell's 49 against India laid the platform for the Blackcaps' first victory and they've not lost since.

And that's not even taking into account his 72 not out against England, showing incredible poise and maturity to grind out tough runs, before capitalising at the end.

Kane Williamson 8

(131 runs @ 32.75, strike rate 94.24, high score 40*)

Aside from an underwhelming tournament with the bat, Williamson's captaincy has been one of the keys to the Blackcaps' success in the UAE.

Masterful rotation of his bowlers - Glenn Phillips' one over against England notwithstanding - as well as his overall calming influence on the team have often been Williamson's strength in white-ball cricket and this tournament's been no different.

Kane Williamson sweeps against Afghanistan.
Kane Williamson sweeps against Afghanistan. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

While yet to pass 50, Williamson's 33 not out against India and 40 not out against Afghanistan were crucial knocks that guided the Blackcaps to victory.

The skipper will always have competition for recognition as the world's best batter, but as a captain he's second to none.

Devon Conway 7.5 

(129 runs @ 32.25, strike rate 108.40, high score 46)

New Zealand cricket's shiny new toy just keeps on delivering.

Batting down the order at No.4, Conway hasn't been able to deliver the big scores we've become accustomed to in his young international career, but his 46 against England stabilised the Blackcaps after an early wobble and set the platform for Mitchell's heroics.

Devon Conway.
Devon Conway. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

Has done a passable job as wicketkeeper, considering he's not a specialist. Took an outstanding catch standing up to Ish Sodhi against Afghanistan, but if the Blackcaps had lost against England, his regulation drop of Dawid Malan would have stood out as a potential reason why. 

A shame he'll miss the final with a broken hand.

Glenn Phillips 7 

(87 runs @ 29, strike rate 112.98, high score 39*)

Contributions in the field are often overlooked, but Phillips has been electric patrolling the boundary for the Blackcaps.

Batting at No.5 in T20 cricket means players can only really hit out or get out, and that's not Phillips' game. His unbeaten 39 against Namibia rescued the Blackcaps from a precarious position, but otherwise, he has hardly had the chance to show off his undeniable talent.

Jimmy Neesham 8 

(73 runs @ 36.50, strike rate 173.80, high score 35*, 3 wickets @ 22, economy rate 6.60, best figures 1/6)

With the highest strike rate of any Blackcaps batter, Neesham stood up when it counted during their smash-and-grab against England.

But the semi-final win aside, Neesham's hardly been needed, making his 27 from 11 balls all the more impressive.

Jimmy Neesham against Namibia.
Jimmy Neesham against Namibia. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

At the centre of the 2019 World Cup heartbreak, few would deserve a winner's medal more than Neesham on Monday.

Tim Seifert 3

(8 runs @ 8, strike rate 100, high score 8)

The unfortunate man to make way after the loss to Pakistan, Seifert was sacrificed to accommodate the extra bowler.

Tim Seifert scoops against Pakistan.
Tim Seifert scoops against Pakistan. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

An innings of eight from eight against Pakistan hardly stands out, but Seifert was asked to play a role unfamiliar to him, batting down at No.7.

Conway's injury should see Seifert as a straight swap for one last chance at the tournament.

Mitchell Santner 7.5

(2 wickets @ 63, economy rate 6.63, best figures 1/20)

Bowling in partnerships is just as, if not more important than batting in partnerships and Mitchell Santner's contribution can often be overlooked.

So often, Santner's expertise at containing opposition batters results in Ish Sodhi taking wickets from the other end. Two wickets is no reflection on how well Santer's bowled, but an economy rate of 6.63 does, especially with some of the short boundaries on offer in the UAE.

Mitchell Santner appeals.
Mitchell Santner appeals. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

His one over against England was a strange decision, but can hardly be held against Santner.

Adam Milne 7.5 

(3 wickets @ 46.33, economy rate 6.95, best figures 1/17)

One of the finest T20 bowlers on the planet, Adam Milne's initial exclusion from the Blackcaps' 15-man squad was strange from the outset.

Like Santner, has bowled well without reward, although he was hit for five consecutive boundaries in one over against Scotland. Otherwise, Milne is the only Kiwi bowler to send down a maiden over in the tournament.

Adam Milne celebrates a wicket against Afghanistan.
Adam Milne celebrates a wicket against Afghanistan. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

Regularly touching speeds approaching 150km/h, Milne is a luxury player for the Blackcaps, imagine what he could do in tandem with Lockie Ferguson, whom he replaced.

Tim Southee 9 

(8 wickets @ 17.25, economy rate 5.75, best figures 2/15)

Southee has lived up to his role as the leader of the Blackcaps attack, operating at his best in the powerplay, with an economy rate of 5.75 runs per over, less than a run a ball.

Tim Southee is congratulated by the Blackcaps.
Tim Southee is congratulated by the Blackcaps. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

Although he falls towards the slower end of the ‘fast-medium’ scale, Southee's intelligence as a bowler shines every time he has the ball in his hand.

Throw in a couple of outstanding catches and you've got a very good tournament from the veteran.

Ish Sodhi 8

(9 wickets @ 17.11, economy rate 7.33, best figures 2/17)

The most expensive of the Kiwi frontline bowlers, Sodhi has rewarded Williamson by taking at least one wicket in every game he's played - a feat only matched by Southee.

A man-of-the-match display against India - the most fearsome batting line-up in the world - saw Sodhi at his best, making use of any and every variation available to him.

Ish Sodhi is congratulated.
Ish Sodhi is congratulated. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

Conditions in the UAE haven't been as spin-friendly as initially thought, but Sodhi's still come away as a key part of the Blackcaps T20 side.

Trent Boult 9

(11 wickets @ 14.09, economy rate 6.54, best figures 3/17)

The ability to take wickets will see a team win matches in every form of the game.

New Zealand's most prolific wicket-taker, Boult has been his usual self in terms of what he gives to the Blackcaps white ball outfit.

Trent Boult appeals.
Trent Boult appeals. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

Three-wicket hauls against India and Afghanistan allowed the Blackcaps to contain their opponents in must-win games, with Boult doing his part in a successful campaign.

Only Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga (16) and Australia's Adam Zampa (12) have taken more wickets than Boult, but the Kiwi left-armer has been the most prolific paceman at this year's World Cup.

Boult can enjoy his well earned break after the tournament's end on Monday.

Mark Chapman - N/A

Kyle Jamieson - N/A

Todd Astle - N/A

Lockie Ferguson - N/A

Alex Powell is a Newshub online sports producer. Join us for live updates of the Twenty20 World Cup final between the Blackcaps and Australia from 3am Monday.