New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Today Match Prediction 19 Jun 2019

nz vs n/a Match Prediction & Analysis

South Africa will be looking to keep their playoff hopes alive when they take on New Zealand in the 25th game of ICC Cricket World Cup in Birmingham on Wednesday.

In their previous fixture, Faf du Plessis and co. delivered a clinical performance with the bat and ball to register their first win of the competition. The side will need to win their game against New Zealand in order to keep their playoff hopes in the competition.

New Zealand’s previous game against India was abandoned due to heavy rains in Nottingham. The side will be looking to continue their winning run in the competition. Captain Kane Williamson knows that a win against South Africa will take them a step closer towards qualifying for the semifinals of the competition.

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

New Zealand is on a three-match winning streak and will be looking to keep the momentum in this game against South Africa. Kane Williamson’s side will need to win their at least two games in order to secure the semifinal berth in this competition.

The team has been heavily reliant on the likes of Captain Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill to do the bulk of the scoring. The batting trio certainly delivered the goods with the bat for New Zealand in the previous game played against South Africa.

Kane Williamson played exceedingly well in the previous game and scored 79 off 99 balls to help New Zealand register a comfortable win over Afghanistan. Ross Taylor produced a spectacular batting performance and scored 48 off 52 balls with the help of six fours and a six. He will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in this game as well.

Martin Guptill has not quite delivered with the bat in this World Cup. He will be looking to do well in this game. Guptill is a proven match-winner in white-ball cricket and will be keen to make an impact with the ball.

In the bowling department, the focus will be on pace duo of Matt Henry and Trent Boult to deliver breakthroughs with the new-ball. James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson bowled exceedingly well for New Zealand and picked up nine wickets between them in the previous game against Afghanistan.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham (wk), Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, KS Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, Ross Taylor, James Neesham

South Africa Preview

Faf-du Plessis led-unit have suffered from inconsistency throughout the competition. The side will need to win against New Zealand in order to stay relevant in the competition. The side has managed to win only one game out of five played so far in this World Cup.

In their last match, South Africa registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Afghanistan at Cardiff. The responsibility of that will be with their in-form opening batsman Quinton de Kock, who has been a consistent performer for the side in this World Cup. He has scored 186 runs in 5 matches at an average of 46.50.  The left-hander played exceedingly well against Afghanistan and scored 68 off 72 balls with the help of eight boundaries.

Apart from De Kock, middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen is also having a decent tournament with the bat with 113 runs at an average of 37.67. Faf du Plessis has also chipped in with decent scores for South Africa in this World Cup.

Hashim Amla delivered another timid display with the bat against Afghanistan. He scored unbeaten 41 runs off 83 balls with the help of four boundaries. He will need to show some urgency at the crease if South Africa aims to beat New Zealand at Birmingham.

In the bowling department, the focus will be on premier Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who is currently the leading wicket-taker for South Africa with 8 wickets in 5 matches played in the competition. Chris Morris bowled exceedingly well in the previous game and picked up three wickets from his six overs. Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehlukwayo also picked up crucial wickets for the side in the previous game.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (Captain), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks.

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir

Weather Conditions

The surface prepared for this game will be a decent one for batting. The quick bowlers might get lateral movement with the new-ball. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Wednesday will see light showers in the morning.

Venue

Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham will host the game between New Zealand and South Africa. New Zealand has an excellent head-to-head against South Africa in Cricket World Cup. New Zealand has won its last four World Cup games against South Africa.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams would be looking to bowl first and restrict the opposition to a modest total. The spinners might also get something out of this surface.