New Zealand are unbeaten in the World Cup. In their last game, Saturday's quarter-final in Wellington, they had Martin Guptill score the second-highest individual score in ODI history. They are pumped, confident, brimming with positivity. Their captain's leadership is infectious; contagious even, as Stephen Fleming put it. Tim Southee and Trent Boult (the leading wicket-taker in the tournament) have been hailed as on course to be New Zealand's greatest new-ball pairing. Daniel Vettori, apart from the last match, has been economical, accurate and successful. And when he had an off day with the ball, he plucked the catch of the tournament.
New Zealand has appeared to be one of the clear favourites to lift the World Cup this year.The only concern for New Zealand in the match could be the way West Indian batsmen hit their bowlers all over the ground. While the West Indies made 250, the runs came in only 30.3 overs. Chris Gayle made 61 off 33 balls with two fours and eight sixes, Marlon Samuels hit three fours and a six for his 27 off 15 balls and skipper Jason Holder made 42 off 26 balls with five fours and two sixes.
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Trent Boult bowled 10 consecutive overs and took four wickets and helped his team bowl the West Indies out. If South Africa manages to keep wickets for the last 20 overs, New Zealand bowlers may find it difficult to hold the Proteas back.The team has been dented by the ruling out of tearaway quick Adam Milne, as McCullum and the coach Mike Hesson admitted on Monday, but the confidence remains high. The hunger has not diminished. McCullum believes his team can still keep rolling.Milne's injury has opened up a fast bowler's slot for one of left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan, who played just one match in the tournament and failed to take a wicket, or late add-on, Matt Henry, who has impressed with his raw pace in the eight ODIs he has played.South African skipper AB de Villiers is adamant that the winning of the World Cup for the first time is within their grasp.Neither South Africa nor New Zealand have made a World Cup final.South Africa’s chance to create history by going to a World Cup final for the first time. Nobody thought South Africa’s match against Sri Lanka would be so one-sided that South African bowlers would bowl the Asians out for 133. South Africa eventually won the match by nine wickets in 18 overs only. JP Duminy scored a hat trick in the match while Imran Tahir, the Man of the Match, took four wickets.
Squads for New Zealand vs South Africa ICC Cricket World Cup Match Today
New Zealand
Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan/Matt Henry.
South Africa
Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (capt), David Miller, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott/Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
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