New Zealand will take on South Africa in match number 32 of the 2023 ODI World Cup at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday, November 1. Both teams are in the top four of the points table. The Kiwis are in the third position with eight points from six matches, while the Proteas are second with 10 points from six games. New Zealand began the World Cup with four consecutive wins but lost their last two matches. In their last game, they went down to Australia by five runs in a high-scoring encounter. South Africa are on a three-match winning streak following their loss to Netherlands. In their previous match, they registered a close one-wicket win over Pakistan.
New Zealand bowled first against Australia in Dharamsala and conceded 388 runs. They were in the hunt till the end in the big chase but eventually fell five runs short of Australia’s total as the fielding side somehow held their nerves under pressure. Chasing 271 against Pakistan in Chennai, South Africa were well placed 121/2, only to crumble to 260/9. They escaped another choke, getting home by one wicket. Here are the player battles for the New Zealand vs South Africa match.
Rachin Ravindra vs Marco Jansen
Rachin Ravindra has been outstanding for New Zealand in his debut World Cup, exceeding all expectations. The 23-year-old left-hander is currently the third-leading run-getter in the competition. In six matches, he has amassed 406 runs at an average of 81.20 and a strike rate of 107.69. He began the World Cup with a thumping 123, not out against New Zealand, and looked good in the subsequent games as well. In Kiwis’ last two games, he has registered scores of 75 and 116 against strong Indian and Australian bowling attacks. Can he carry on the exceptional form?
Marco Jansen has done a good job for South Africa with the ball, striking some key blows early to put the opposition on the back foot. In six matches, the left-arm seamer has claimed 13 wickets at an average of 22.31. Although he has been expensive on a couple of occasions, there has not been a single game in which he has not claimed at least two wickets. He was brilliant against Pakistan with figures of 3/43, dismissing both the openers. Ravindra should be on Jansen’s must-get list.
Quinton de Kock vs Trent Boult
Experienced South African opener Quinton de Kock is enjoying his farewell ODI series. In fact, he is currently the leading run-getter in the tournament, with 431 runs in six matches at an average of 71.83 and a strike rate of 117.12. He has crossed a three-figure mark in three of the six innings. In the game against Bangladesh in Mumbai, he hammered 174 off 140 balls. De Kock had a rare failure against Pakistan, being dismissed for 24. He will be hungry to make amends.
Seasoned Kiwi left-arm pacer Trent Boult has had a mixed run in the World Cup so far. In six matches, he has claimed nine wickets at an average of 31.33. Boult has been uncharacteristically expensive in a few matches. He had figures of 1/60 against India. Boult claimed three wickets against Australia but conceded 77 runs. The Kiwis will depend on the experienced pacer to strike early. His tussle with De Kock could potentially set the tone of the innings.
Daryl Mitchell vs Keshav Maharaj
Daryl Mitchell has been in fantastic form for New Zealand over the last year and has carried the same into the 2023 World Cup as well. In six matches, he has notched up 322 runs at an average of 80.50 and a strike rate of 107.69. Mitchell scored an unbeaten 89 against Bangladesh in quick time, notched up 130 against India, and followed it up with 54 against the Aussies. With Kane Williamson still unavailable and stand-in skipper Tom Latham not consistent with the bat, Mitchell has been holding the middle order together for the Kiwis.
One of the standout features of Mitchell’s batting against India was the manner in which he took the attack to left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. South Africa also have a left-arm spinner in Keshav Maharaj. Observing Mitchell’s batting, he is someone who has decided that he will take on the slow bowlers and put them under pressure. Maharaj himself, is an experienced and smart operator who has chipped in with key wickets for the team. The feisty cricketer will enjoy the challenge of bowling to Mitchell.
Heinrich Klaasen vs Mitchell Santner
As clichéd as it may sound, Heinrich Klaasen has been a class apart in the World Cup when it comes to clean striking. In six matches, he has smashed 300 runs at an average of 50 and an excellent strike rate of 149.25. The 32-year-old clobbered 109 off 67 balls against England and 90 off 49 against Bangladesh. He experienced a rare failure against Pakistan and will be keen to get back among the big scores.
Experienced Kiwi left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner could be up against Klaasen towards the second half of the innings. The latter is among the best players of spin in the ongoing World Cup, but Santner himself is a smart operator. The New Zealand bowler has already picked up 14 wickets in six matches at an average of 20.21. Can he add the big scalp of Klaasen to his list?
Jimmy Neesham vs Kagiso Rabada
Jimmy Neesham played an exceptional knock against Australia and kept the Kiwis in the hunt after, at one point, it seemed that the Aussies would register an emphatic win. He smacked 58 off 39 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes before falling off the penultimate delivery. Can Neesham come up with another brilliant cameo?
At the death, Neesham could be challenged by Kagiso Rabada. The experienced South African pacer has a good bouncer and a lethal yorker. He has been in impressive form as well in the World Cup. In five matches, he has picked up 10 wickets at an average of 21.90. His tussle with Neesham at the death could be enthralling.