CRICKET WORLD CUP: South Africa v New Zealand match preview
October 30, 2023
New Zealand and South Africa will contest the 32nd match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The Black Caps and Proteas currently occupy second and third position, respectively, in the 10-team tournament’s standings. Victory in this match would all but guarantee either team a semi-final berth.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s campaign started with four consecutive wins against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But they Kiwis have since slipped to successive defeats to India and Australia. A third defeat in a row could really hurt their push for a semi-final berth.
Opener Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell are the Kiwis’ leading run-scorers at this tournament. Ravindra has 406 runs in six innings – and Mitchell 322 for five. Their individual and collective contributions have been vital in the absence of the injured Kane Williamson.
Bowling-wise, seamer Matt Henry and spinner Mitchell Santner have been outstanding for the Black Caps. They have shared 25 wickets this tournament. Henry’s extra bounce and carry, coupled with Santner’s varied pace and turn, should pose a significant threat to the Proteas.
New Zealand will be hard pressed against a Proteas outfit brimming with confidence after triumphing in a tough challenge against Pakistan. The Black Caps, though, have made somewhat of a habit of derailing South Africa at major International Cricket Council tournaments.
South Africa
South Africa have managed to shake off defeat to the Netherlands by beating England, Bangladesh and Pakistan in succession. Their most recent win was effectively the closest of the lot – and perhaps steeled them for the rest of the round-robin stage of the tournament.
The Proteas have three of the top 10 run-scorers at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Trio Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen have batted aggressively – and given South Africa three of the six highest totals at this tournament so far.
South Africa will remain without the injured Sisanda Magala and Anrich Nortje. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada missed the match against Pakistan due to injury. It’ll be interesting to see if he returns for this fixture. Captain Temba Bavuma, meanwhile, has recovered after missing two matches due to illness.
Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen are the team’s leading wicket-takers at this World Cup. Jansen has 13 wickets to Coetzee’s 12, while Rabada has 10. Each of the three are averaging in the early 20s. Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi will likely be retained in the XI after taking four wickets against Pakistan.
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CRICKET WORLD CUP: South Africa v New Zealand match preview
New Zealand and South Africa will contest the 32nd match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The Black Caps and Proteas currently occupy second and third position, respectively, in the 10-team tournament’s standings. Victory in this match would all but guarantee either team a semi-final berth.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s campaign started with four consecutive wins against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But they Kiwis have since slipped to successive defeats to India and Australia. A third defeat in a row could really hurt their push for a semi-final berth.
Opener Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell are the Kiwis’ leading run-scorers at this tournament. Ravindra has 406 runs in six innings – and Mitchell 322 for five. Their individual and collective contributions have been vital in the absence of the injured Kane Williamson.
Bowling-wise, seamer Matt Henry and spinner Mitchell Santner have been outstanding for the Black Caps. They have shared 25 wickets this tournament. Henry’s extra bounce and carry, coupled with Santner’s varied pace and turn, should pose a significant threat to the Proteas.
New Zealand will be hard pressed against a Proteas outfit brimming with confidence after triumphing in a tough challenge against Pakistan. The Black Caps, though, have made somewhat of a habit of derailing South Africa at major International Cricket Council tournaments.
South Africa
South Africa have managed to shake off defeat to the Netherlands by beating England, Bangladesh and Pakistan in succession. Their most recent win was effectively the closest of the lot – and perhaps steeled them for the rest of the round-robin stage of the tournament.
The Proteas have three of the top 10 run-scorers at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Trio Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen have batted aggressively – and given South Africa three of the six highest totals at this tournament so far.
South Africa will remain without the injured Sisanda Magala and Anrich Nortje. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada missed the match against Pakistan due to injury. It’ll be interesting to see if he returns for this fixture. Captain Temba Bavuma, meanwhile, has recovered after missing two matches due to illness.
Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen are the team’s leading wicket-takers at this World Cup. Jansen has 13 wickets to Coetzee’s 12, while Rabada has 10. Each of the three are averaging in the early 20s. Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi will likely be retained in the XI after taking four wickets against Pakistan.