1st Semi-Final: New Zealand v South Africa at Auckland

ICC Cricket World Cup : Mar 24, 2015

starts in 8 hours !

Nine World Cup semi-finals, zero World Cup finals.

New Zealand and South Africa are no strangers to the last four, but neither has ever experienced the ultimate shoot-out.

That will change for one of the teams as Melbourne beckons for the Winner. 

"It would be silly to focus too much on the cricket they've played. They've played really well but if we play to our full potential

no one is going to stop us. I need to make sure they are confident mentally and fresh physically."


AB de Villiers keeps his focus on his own team rather than New Zealand

New Zealand's run rate in the mandatory Powerplay overs of 7.54 is easily the best among all teams in this tournament.

Australia are next with a rate of 6.16.

South Africa are fifth with a run rate of 4.95

Given the one-sided nature of all the Quarter-final games, I am just hoping that this will be a competitive match. Both teams are pretty evenly matched, in my opinion. Both have explosive batting, front-line seam bowlers and arguably the two best spinners on show this World Cup. Can't wait!

It will be vital for South Africa that de Villiers delivers as promised because it was at this same ground where he felt

an absence of an "electric vibe"  : when South Africa played Pakistan.

Apart from boult. I believe middle order of the new zealand is extremely important for their success tomorrow. The middle order of new zealand has not been tested up to now. if South Africa makes early blows then they can put real challenege to New zealand.

[quote author=ketchim link=topic=96678.msg627687#msg627687 date=1427130246]
New Zealand's run rate in the mandatory Powerplay overs of 7.54 is easily the best among all teams in this tournament.

Australia are next with a rate of 6.16.

South Africa are fifth with a run rate of 4.95
[/quote]
It will be very interesting to see how New Zealand fare against South Africa's bowling in the last 15 overs. To date, South Africa's bowlers have conceded just 5.78 runs on average in the last 15 overs of the innings, a tournament best.

Good point dillinger : Looking at the first 10

AND forgetting the Final 15

Can be the difference between a Win and a Loss .. 8)

[quote author=Fastbowler link=topic=96678.msg627691#msg627691 date=1427131121]
Apart from boult. I believe middle order of the new zealand is extremely important for their success tomorrow. The middle order of new zealand has not been tested up to now. if South Africa makes early blows then they can put real challenege to New zealand.
[/quote]

This is a good point. South Africa have 5 batsman with an average of 50 or higher, New Zealand's only batsman with an average of 50+ is Martin Guptil (83.00).

New Zealand's team stats this World Cup.

South Africa's team stats this World Cup.

A question for Gina and others, which bowler would you select, Abbott or Philander?

[quote author=dillinger10 link=topic=96678.msg627723#msg627723 date=1427144065]
A question for Gina and others, which bowler would you select, Abbott or Philander?
[/quote]

I don't think SA will change their side so I expect Abbott to play.