ICC World Cup 2019: Match 25, New Zealand vs South Africa, Preview – An epic rivalry in World Cups set to write another scintillating chapter

On a cloudy Johannesburg afternoon in 2003, New Zealand and South Africa locked horns in a crucial World Cup game with the hosts clearly being the favourites. The Proteas batted beautifully to get to 306 runs, but the Kiwis made a mockery of the revised target courtesy an outstanding Stephen Fleming hundred, which is still rated as one of the finest by a New Zealander. It was followed by a low-scoring thriller in 2007 and once again, New Zealand emerged triumphant.

The story had another chapter in the 2011 World Cup with South Africa once again being firm favourites in the quarterfinals, but Daniel Vettori’s BlackCaps pulled another miracle and reached the semifinals under dramatic circumstances. Well, words are not enough to describe how flabbergasting and legendary their encounter in the 2015 World Cup semifinal was, perhaps the finest game played between these two sides and also one of the greatest games in ODI history.

Among the Australia-Englands and India-Pakistans, New Zealand and South Africa have had a pretty astonishing yet underrated rivalry. Perhaps for the first time, the Blackcaps are coming into a World Cup game against them as the firm favourites on Wednesday and this game already promises to be a blockbuster, despite South Africa’s recent pale form.

Playing Combinations

New Zealand

Just like England, New Zealand are very clear with their line-up and do not tinker much. Colin Munro is due some runs as apart from his half-century against Pakistan, he didn’t perform well in the last couple of months. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are scoring runs for fun, a piece of delightful news for their fans. Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Boult form the three-man pace attack with two very good part-time options in Jimmy Neesham and Grandhomme. Santner is the only spinner in the lineup.

Probable XI

Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

South Africa

Lungi Ngidi has recovered from his hamstring injury, which is a huge bonus for the Proteas and this might see Beuran Hendricks getting axed. Imran Tahir and Chris Morris were too hot to handle for the Afghans in the last game. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla registered some crucial runs to get back in form and they also need some runs from David Miller and Aiden Markram to really pack a punch in this crucial fixture.

Probable XI

Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (C), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi.

Focus will be on

Trent Boult (New Zealand)

The Kiwi stalwart is once again chipping in with stellar performances, just the way he did in the previous World Cup. Just the consistency with which he hits his favoured channels and continues to pick big wickets is what makes him one of the finest of his generation. He will relish bowling in the Birmingham conditions, where the weather has been overcast and fast bowlers will get a lot of assistance.

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

He’s very much there on the top among the best fast bowlers with Trent Boult, but Kagiso Rabada needs to churn out some big performances in big games to really make a case for himself. This is a humongous game for the Proteas, a defeat could potentially kill their aspirations. He has been their best fast bowler in the last couple of years and has a huge responsibility on his shoulders for this game.

Stat Attack

5 – New Zealand won five games against South Africa in World Cups in seven encounters. The Proteas are yet to win against them in this tournament in this century.

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports

Online– Hotstar

Match Timings – 15:00 IST; 10:30 local