ICC World Cup 2015: Semi Final 1 – New Zealand v South Africa - Match preview

When and Where

Date: 24 March
Time: 6:30 AM (IST)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Battle of the equals

A team that has never won a knockout match before this tournament versus a team has never won a semi-final once. The rugby playing nations from the same hemisphere have almost same positives and negatives. Two best bowling line-ups, equally athletic in the field, both poses an equally good/bad batting order.

The contrasts, however, are the opposite mindsets of two captains in the field. Kiwi captain is always going for wickets, AB unlikely to do so. They possess same strengths in batting with the Protean 360o specialist in full flow.

So far

New Zealand topped Pool A with 12 points and South Africa ended 2nd place with 8 points in Pool B, below India.

Kiwi’s tournament opener was against the Lankans, which they won by a comfortable 98 runs; from there it was juggernaut rolling, winning over all their group mates meant they are the first to qualify for quarter-finals. Defusing the batting order of the Australian side which is the longest and possess the best power game in the tournament speaks volumes about their performance thus far. Bowl first, dismantle the opposition batting lineup for 120 odd & chase it with brutal Brendon McCullum force was their mantra it seems. Only Bangladesh managed to break it. Had to bat 1st against Sri Lanka and West Indies - double hundred by Martin Guptill combined with Trent Boult’s magical spell throwed Windies out in the quarter final. 

South Africa surprisingly had to limp across against the spirited Zimbabweans losing 83-4, 200+ stand from JP Duminy & David Miller saw them home. Bowling too struggled a bit. Loss to India might be mainly related to Vernon Philander's hamstring trouble and their mental struggle while chasing. But it got worse against Pakistan in pursuit of a modest 232. They failed even after AB de Villiers heroics. Thereafter only UAE managed to stop them from scoring 400, when they batted first. After losing the toss to Angelo Mathews, the Protean skipper struggled even with his voice. Sri Lankan batting order consisting of legendary players CHOKED to the spin webs of Imran Tahir & Duminy.

Comparing at the group stage, both the sides were separated by 4 points or more accurately the difference in approach of their respective captains. In Quarterfinal both have thumped their authority.

Head to Head

Overall

Played: 61

New Zealand 20 - 36 South Africa 

No results/Ties: 5

In World cup

Played: 6

New Zealand 4 - 2 South Africa 

No Result/Ties: 0

Recent results (last five matches, most recent first)

New Zealand - WWWWW
South Africa - WWLWW

Weather Report

Fine showers are possible. Mostly before match starts, i.e. 2 pm local time. Wind which is a major factor in the southern hemisphere will be light.

Pitch

The nail-biting thriller between the co-hosts was held at this ground. Famously spoken about the size of the boundaries, Auckland's was a low scorer initially, but it was a belter for India against Zimbabwe. 

X – Factor

First and foremost, TOSS, for both the teams. 

Ross Taylor is now out of a touch scratchy form, but it has been a long time since the kiwi batting engine scored freely. In middle overs, his team needs him the most. The big match player is due a big score. Young legend in the making Kane Williamson along with Taylor is their batting mainstay.

Faf du Plessis, the classical No.3 batsman is silently the second important man behind the genius Hasim Amla in building the innings and saving wickets for a late assault. In capitalizing the weakness of co-hosts, their victory lies in death bowling, for they will need ABD, Miller & Co to come good.

The big number

3.81 – Daniel 'ever young' Vettori after bowling 62 overs has that economy - second lowest this world cup. (Mitchell Starc has bowled only 47 overs and the Chris Gayle blitz affected Vettori in the last game).

TEAM FOCUS

New Zealand

Being one of the two undefeated crew in this world cup, Kiwis seem to have no weakness. The ones who mostly dubbed as the “Dark Horses” are now the clear tournament favorites and a team to beat. The brand of cricket they have played this whole tournament is much spoken of. Even Michael Clarke acknowledged that in an interview.

They play aggressive cricket their captain positions 3-4 slips even when they are conceding 8 an over! Trent Boult has suddenly appeared and crushed a few too many on his way. Bowls 10 overs unchanged at 140kph consistently, is the tournament highest wicket taker. Tim Southee, though has faded a bit later in the competition, did dominate the initial phase of the tournament. Daniel Vettori at 36 is the second best economical bowler, turned the Australia match on his head & took a screamer to dismiss Marlon Samuels in QF. Add to this, they have young pacer in Adam Milne and a birdy all-rounder Corey Anderson.

The dynamic batting line up has wobbled a time or two. Apart from Taylor every other one in top four has played match-winning knocks. Williamson or B-Mac is due a big hundred. 5th bowling options Anderson and Elliott will be the major difference. If the Protean bowlers fire early, the Kiwi batting also will be tested.

Predicted XI

Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (c), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Daniel Vettori, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

No Changes expected in the winning XI of the Kiwis.

South Africa

Mike horn, the motivational speaker, the inducer of success for the 2011 world cup winners, 2014 FIFA champions, IPL 2012 winners is roped in by the country to help them overcome mental struggles during an all-important knockout match. Michael Hussey, the best southpaw of the last generation ODI batsmen is there to guide the four fellow lefties in the XI.

Gary Kirsten (name itself speaks for him) the most respected coach is on a 50 day a year coaching stunt. The Protean side for the last six months played only ODIs- so well prepared, well-planned tours to both hosts and co-hosts. Winning 2-0 against the Kiwis, unfortunately, won’t have a huge psychological impact.

Losing the toss against this Protean side is a crime and it guarantees a target of over 350. But the Kiwi bowling line up is the most potent of the tournament. Every individual has a century except Rilee Rossow (less matches) & Quinton de Kock. They have the most explosive middle-order batting with likes of de Villiers, Miller, and Duminy. 

Bowling has so far hasn’t let down as batters have. NZ and SA with 67 and 66 wickets, respectively, are just behind the Indian bowling line-up by 3 and 4 wickets in the tournament. With a world class bowling line up of 3 frontline pacers in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and the best leg spinner of the tournament Imran Tahir they are most feared of. The main problem for the African side is the absence of a player of the legendary Jacques Kallis' type, ie.an all-rounder. Now they will be satisfied with even a bits and pieces one too. Now they have Duminy to fill in that role (part timer for 10 middle overs) their captain might bowl if required is the weakest link. Adding to that their bowlers/tail doesn’t wag too much which in this era is a must. 

Predicted XI

Hasim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossow, AB de Villiers (c), David Miller, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott/Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

One of Philander and Abbott will play, even though neither of them haven’t failed much.

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