New Zealand v South Africa: Will the Proteas choke once more? - ICC World Cup 2011
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 has a well balanced squad but throughout their cricketing history they have choked in big matches and all eyes will be on them to deliver and finally overcome their reputation. On the other hand, the Kiwis are a very under-rated side in this
edition of the World Cup. They have been considered the dark horse and on their day can challenge any side in the tournament.
The Proteas have looked lively on the field and confidence could be the key to their success in this match, thus the Kiwi’s will go into the match as underdogs.
Proteas journey so far has been a smooth one as they ended up top of Group B, also known as the group of death. On the other hand, their opponents had a mixed campaign so far. They thrashed Pakistan however they lost to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 thus finishing
fourth in their group.
Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori believes his side can pull off a victory if their top-order fires on all cylinders. According to Vettori their bowling is solid and needs assistance from the batsmen.
The Kiwi captain said, “If the top five perform it will give us a chance. We've got a very good fielding unit and a solid bowling attack so if we can complement that with a good performance with the bat we will be in with a chance.”
Proteas skipper, Graeme Smith, seems to be puzzled about his sides bowling option on this field. The Pitch at Mirpur has some grass on it and may assist pace bowlers so it may require them to drop one of the three spinners, namely http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Johan-Botha-c67173, Imran Tahir
and Robin Peterson.
Smith said, “It looks very green, probably because we are not used to seeing grass here so it might be more even paced than the wickets we have played on previously. I expect it to turn a bit, because it's still very dry.”
Team form
Proteas are in good form and have won four matches from the last five played. Their opponent’s record is also good though but not as impressive. The Kiwis have won three matches from the last five games played.
Key Players
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887 has had an excellent tournament and he’ll be a man the Kiwis would
like to see back in the pavilion early.
Black Caps captain Vettori is returning after injuring his knee against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and he is a quality spinner and can trouble any opposition. Tim Southee has been amongst the leading wicket-takers and has been quite economical as well.
South Africa (probable XI):
1 Graeme Smith (captain), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722, 11 Imran Tahir
New Zealand (probable XI):
1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Jesse Ryder, 4 Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mills-c76321.
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