We are getting down to the business end of the ICC Cricket World Cup and spots in the semi-finals are up for grabs! 2nd will play 3rd on on Wednesday night as South Africa take on New Zealand from Pune. Check out our preview and betting tips for the clash below.
ICC Cricket World Cup Betting Tips
New Zealand vs South Africa
Pune, Wednesday 7.30pm (AEDT)
New Zealand
The Kiwis started off the tournament in red hot form, winning their first four games on the trot. They have fallen to third place with losses in their last two games to India and New Zealand. They will face off against their third straight semi-final contender on Wednesday night.
New Zealand didn’t go down without a fight in their loss to Australia, almost chasing down a mammoth 388 total to lose by just five runs. Young gun Rachin Ravindra continues to be the standout performer with the back for the Black Caps after blasting another hundred, his second of the tournament, against the Aussies.
Will the Black Caps opt for a personnel change for the clash against South Africa? Their fast bowling contingent struggled a touch against the Australians, and Tim Southee is waiting in the wings should they want to make a change while former skipper Kane Williamson has also been biding his time awaiting a tournament debut.
Predicted NZ XI: Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson
South Africa
Outside of India, South Africa have been without doubt the team of the tournament so far. They have lost only one game, a shock upset to the Netherlands, but have downed some tough opponents in Australia, England and Pakistan in their 5-1 run so far.
Their top six has been masterful, scoring an average of 380 runs in their four games when they have batted first. Chasing has been the issue for the South Africans though, as they failed to chase down the 245 run target set by Netherlands before they barely managed to get over the line against Pakistan, chasing down 271 nine wickets down.
Can’t see South Africa making any changes to this line-up outside of a rest/replace for one of their fast bowlers. Kagiso Rabada missed the game against Pakistan presumably for rest, so should come back into the side here.
Predicted SA XI: Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi
Betting Tips
Like the odds for New Zealand to bounce back here from back to back losses. South Africa has looked a little shaky of late, particularly in their most recent game against Pakistan and particularly when chasing. New Zealand have more on the line as a loss could see them fall into an unwanted race for the fourth spot in the semi-finals.
Back the Kiwis to get the job done here at good odds.
