FACTBOX-World Cup finalist New Zealand

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NEW ZEALAND

World Cup record

1975 - semi-finals; 1979 - semi-finals; 1983 - first round; 1987 - first round; 1992 - semi-finals; 1996 - quarter-finals; 1999 - semi-finals; 2003 - super six; 2007 - semi-finals; 2011 - semi-finals

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Captain: Brendon McCullum

Prior to being awarded the captaincy in late 2012, the perception of the extra-aggressive batsman was as the ultimate individual, playing the way he wanted rather than what the team needed.

Since then, the shift towards a 'team first' focus has stemmed from the top down with McCullum's actions speaking louder than his words.

He has stood up when the team needed him the most on several occasions, which has resonated throughout as different players have all contributed at various times.

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Coach: Mike Hesson

A surprise selection, Hesson's first big decision polarised the country with the handling of Ross Taylor's replacement as captain bungled by team management and New Zealand Cricket administrators.

The analytical Hesson, however, has quietly overseen a change in team culture that permeates into greater consistency on the field and is winning back the support of a fickle New Zealand public, while most of his 'left field' selections are justifying his faith in them.

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Squad: McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan

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Results so far at 2015 World Cup: (Played 8: Won 8)

Pool matches:

Beat Sri Lanka by 98 runs - A solid batting performance from the batsmen saw New Zealand post 331-6, which the bowling attack easily defended by bundling out Sri Lanka for 233

Beat Scotland by three wickets - New Zealand skittled Scotland for 142 but then lost seven wickets in a nervous chase to win by three wickets

Beat England by eight wickets - Tim Southee picked up seven wickets for 33 as England were all out for 123. Brendon McCullum then blasted 77 in 25 balls as the co-hosts reached their target in 12.2 overs

Beat Australia by one wicket - New Zealand held their nerve to beat trans-Tasman rivals Australia by one wicket in a low-scoring thriller. Boult took five wickets for New Zealand while Starc did the damage for Australia with six wickets

Beat Afghanistan by six wickets - Daniel Vettori stifled Afghanistan with four wickets for just 18 runs off his 10 overs and then McCullum hit 42 off 19 balls as New Zealand chased down the 187-run target with six wickets in hand

Beat Bangladesh by three wickets - Mahmudullah's 128 took Bangladesh to 288-7 but it was not enough as Martin Guptill scored 105 to help his team to victory after early hiccups

Quarter-final:

Beat West Indies by 143 runs - Martin Guptill scored a World Cup record 237 not out to help New Zealand reach 393-6. West Indies could only muster 250 in reply despite a rapid 61 from Chris Gayle

Semi-final:

Beat South Africa by four wickets (D/L method) - Grant Elliott's unbeaten 84, backed up by brisk 50s from Brendon McCullum and Corey Anderson helped New Zealand chase down a target of 298 in 43 overs. Elliott finished the match with a six on the penultimate ball

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Top performers:

Guptill (532 runs) - With two hundreds, including an unbeaten double-century, Guptill has been the ideal opening partner for the aggressive McCullum. He has carried on when the captain has departed early.

McCullum (328 runs) - McCullum has hit four half-centuries for his team but what has worried their opponents more is the pace at which he has scored those runs. The New Zealand captain has a strike rate of almost 192 in the tournament.

Boult (21 wickets) - The left-arm pace bowler has been unplayable on occasions with the new ball and his partnership with Southee at the start has been fruitful.

Southee (15 wickets) - The right-arm pace bowler has scared batsmen with his ability to swing the new ball and at pace. Though he has been a expensive on occasions, he has the ability to run through a batting order, as he did against England with seven wickets.

Vettori (15 wickets) - He has given away under four runs an over and the experienced left-arm spinner has been crucial for New Zealand in the middle overs after the fiery opening spell from the fast bowlers.

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Key to beating Australia - New Zealand would once again need wickets with the new ball and would also bank on captain McCullum to score quick runs and put pressure on the Australia left-arm pace trio. (Compiled by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Greg Stutchbury)