New Delhi: The rampant South Africa will be locking horns with a stunned New Zealand team in the 32nd match at the ICC World Cup 2023, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
South Africa and New Zealand are currently number 2 and 3 in the points table and are expected to successfully make their way into the semifinals, however, a loss on Wednesday might end up hurting their campaign a bit.
On the other hand, whoever secures a win will get 2 much important points and will take one step closer to a confirmed semifinal berth.
Two teams in form, one astonishing clash!
Who’ll book their spot in the semifinal 🇳🇿 or 🇿🇦 ?
Tune-in to #NZvSA in #WorldCupOnStar
Today, 12:30 PM onwards | Star Sports Network#GreatestGlory #Cricket pic.twitter.com/y6GLehdMKL— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 1, 2023
Journey so far
Both South Africa and New Zealand started their campaign on high and have never been out of the top 4 in the entire tournament.
The South African team holds the second spot and will try to win and go to the top of the points table, while New Zealand will try to get the ‘W’ to keep their campaign strong, as a loss on Wednesday, will put them in a tight spot of getting eliminated from the top 4.
South Africa flagged off their campaign with back-to-back wins against the Sri Lankan Lions and the Aussies by 102 and 134 runs, respectively. However, they faced an unexpected upset against the Netherlands, when they suffered their only loss of the tournament against the Dutch side by 38 runs.
The Proteas then bounced back strongly by winning three matches in a row against the defending champions, England, Bangladesh and Pakistan, by 229 runs, 149 runs and 1 wicket, respectively.
Temba Bavuma Celebration 🎊🎊#PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/hI7lGh2IuT
— amrit ray (@amritray7) October 28, 2023
Their win against New Zealand will more or less confirm their place in the semifinals.
New Zealand, on the other hand, also started their campaign with four back-to-back victories against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan by 9 wickets, 99 runs, 8 wickets and 149 runs, respectively.
However, they stumble after that and have now lost two games in a row against the hosts India and the five-time champions Australia by 4 wickets and 5 runs, respectively.
Ball 5 : full toss. Neesham misses . Gets run out. Brilliant keeping by inglis there.
Big chance missed to script history. pic.twitter.com/QaJchLjvXy
— Basra!!!! (@basrasahab) October 28, 2023
A win against South Africa will keep them safe, while a loss will see them fighting a lot harder to earn the top 4 finish.
Head-to-head records
If we are to look at the head-to-head record of the two teams in the One Day Internationals, both of them have locked horns against each other 71 times previously, in which the Proteas have the lead with 41 to 25 over the Kiwis. 5 matches between the two sides have ended in no contest.
Come on South Africa, take revenge of your Golden Generation & beat the sh!t out of New Zealand. #NZvSA • #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/23Y6edOstQ
— Trundler’s Trivia (@trundlerstrivia) October 31, 2023
However, the story is entirely different when it comes to the ODI World Cup record of the two teams. South Africa and New Zealand have faced each other 8 times in World Cup history, and this time, it’s the Kiwis with a 6 to 2 lead over the Proteas.
But, with the kind of form both the team are in, the match on Wednesday, is going to be a sure-shot blockbuster.
Top performers in ICC World Cup 2023
Potentially his 5th Last odi starts tomorrow. ODI cricket will hardly get a player like Quinton De Kock in future.pic.twitter.com/BRpOYQXqdf
— . (@119off61) October 31, 2023
