Why are Lockie Ferguson and Tabraiz Shamsi not playing in ICC World Cup 2023, match 32 between New Zealand and South Africa?

Two confident teams, New Zealand and South Africa, collided in a highly-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 encounter in Pune on Wednesday, November 1. The two teams made one change each to their respective playing XIs, as veteran Tim Southee replaced Lockie Ferguson in the New Zealand XI, while the Proteas brought pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada back in place in of Tabraiz Shamsi.

New Zealand's change was a forced one as Ferguson suffered a right Achilles injury during their last encounter against Australia in Dharamsala. Southee, who has played 365 international matches in his career, is set to play his first game in the ongoing World Cup. His experience could turn out to be crucial in pressure situations. 

Meanwhile, Shamsi, who won the Player of the Match in South Africa's last game against Pakistan in Chennai for his excellent four-wicket haul, was left out owing to the conditions in Pune, which are traditionally not very conducive to spin bowling.

Both South Africa and New Zealand are in strong positions on the points table. The Proteas are at No. 2 behind India with five wins in six games. The Blackcaps, on the other hand, are right behind them at No. 3 with four wins in six games. Temba Bavuma's men have the chance to reclaim the pole position on the points table if they can get the better of New Zealand.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table

What did the two captains say at the toss?

Latham called correctly at the toss and invited South Africa to bat first. He felt that the surface looked good and there could be dew later in the game. Meanwhile, Bavuma said that they would have also opted to bowl first had they won the toss. The diminutive batter mentioned that the pitch looked dry but the ball could skid on under lights.

"We are going to bowl, reasonably good surface. Potential dew later on. One change, Tim Southee comes in for Lockie Ferguson. Guys are confident around the group. They have been playing fantastic crickey, going to be a good game today," Latham said.

Temba Bavuma said: "We were looking to bowl first as well. Pitch looks a bit dry, could skid on later under lights. Kagiso Rabada comes in for Shamsi. We want to run with the momentum. Was not our clinical display last game but it was important to get those key moments to cross the line."

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(WK/C), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(WK), Temba Bavuma(C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Also Check: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Teams & Squads