Maharaj & Shamsi were full of emotions after win over PAK (AP Photo)
The 32nd match of the ICC World Cup 2023 will be played between two powerhouses, New Zealand and South Africa on Wednesday, November 1st at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
NZ vs SA: Preview
New Zealand
Ravindra has been the greatest story of this WC (AP Photo)
The Black Caps were on a roll in the ODI World Cup 2023 with four back-to-back wins. However, they hit a rough patch with two consecutive losses to India and Australia, and now they find themselves in third place on the points table. Their latest defeat was a hard one to accept, with the team falling short by just five runs from victory.
On the whole, the Kiwis are in great shape, with their batting and bowling units ticking all the right boxes. In the batting department, players such as Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, the rising star Rachin Ravindra have all shown remarkable form. James Neesham's outstanding efforts in the recent match against Australia is sure to have boosted his confidence.
The New Zealand bowlers have been exceptional, with the calibre of Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson all in brilliant form. The possible return of captain Kane Williamson for this match holds the potential to greatly uplift the team.
South Africa
Maharaj hit the winning runs against Pakistan (AP Photo)
On the other hand, it’s hard to do justice when talking about South Africa's performance in the ongoing World Cup 2023. It's safe to say that they have been nearly flawless in the tournament, with the exception of a batting collapse that led to their humiliating defeat against Netherlands in Dharamsala.
All in all, South Africa has played six matches so far in the tournament, out of which they have won five games, with the majority being one-sided contests. However, their most recent match against Pakistan required a hard-fought effort to clinch a narrow one-wicket victory.
The batting order, which includes heavy hitters such as Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen, is a force to be reckoned with. Dismantling them will require a top-class bowling effort. Meanwhile, their bowling unit, with the talents of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, and Keshav Maharaj, has also been exceptional.
NZ vs SA: Match Details and Live Streaming
| Match Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | 1st November, 2023 |
| Venue | Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | Star Sports, Disney+Hotstar |
NZ vs SA: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
The pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is a favourite among batters. With the pitch delivering bounce throughout the match, the fast bowlers can take advantage. Spinners will come into the game in the middle overs. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first could be a strategic move for the captain.
NZ vs SA: Probable Playing XI
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi
NZ vs SA: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
| Roles | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Quinton de Kock, Devon Conway |
| Batters | Aiden Markram, Daryl Mitchell |
| All-Rounders | Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Marco Jansen |
| Bowlers | Trent Boult, Gerald Coetzee, Tabraiz Shamsi |
| Captain | Rachin Ravindra |
| Vice-Captain | Quinton de Kock |
NZ vs SA: Match Prediction
On paper, both teams appear evenly matched, whether we consider their batting or bowling departments. However, given South Africa's exceptional performance thus far, they might hold a slight advantage over New Zealand going into this game.
.jpg?type=mq "Babar's Angry Celebration!")
 "Shivani Shukla")
