8 things to expect from the World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa
It’s down to the last four teams now. The first of the three remaining battles at the World Cup is set to take place in Auckland. Here’s what we expect to see when New Zealand and South Africa lock horns in the semi-finals.
1. Runs and new records
This World Cup has well and truly redefined the boundaries of the modern game, particularly in terms of big totals on the board. A batsman scoring 200 doesn’t surprise us that much and 300 seems like an average team total these days. Expect those limits to be pushed even further.
2. Carnage in the final 10
100 runs in the last 10 overs has become a routine in this tournament. And the further we progress, the further the players are pushing the envelope. With two teams full of big hitters so far down the order, most score predictions after 35 overs are being proven wrong on a regular basis.
3. Lightening ‘Boult’s
We’ve seen some brilliant spells from Mitch Starc, flashes of brilliance from Southee and Steyn, and some consistent quality from Shami, but Trent Boult has been the best bowler of the tournament by a long distance. Watch out for his outswingers and deadly yorkers.
4. Fiery Steyn
His vein-popping celebration of Dilshan’s wicket in the quarter-final reminded us of the Steyn of the old days, but in all fairness, the South African pacer simply hasn’t been at his lethal best in this tournament. All that can change with one fiery spell in the semis.
5. Brendon’s butchery
The Kiwi skipper knows only one way to play. You can bring on your Steyns, your Mornes or your Philanders, Baz’s just gonna smash everything that comes his way, because that’s been his approach throughout this tournament. If he clicks, New Zealand will cross 100 within the first 10 overs and Guptill would probably still be waiting to get into double figures.
6. AB De Villiers
Never rule this man out. From what we have seen of him so far, it is safe to say that the amount of time he spends on the crease could potentially decide the outcome of this game.
7. Spectacular catches
Stunning one-handed Vettori catch at boundary pic.twitter.com/INT6QY7uLI
— Troll Cricket (@TrollCricket3) March 21, 2015
Vettori’s blinder against West Indies and Dhawan’s juggling act against Bangladesh are already in contention for the best catches of the tournament. Expect a few more additions to that list in the remaining games.
8. New heroes
Be it Martin Guptill setting the likes of McCullum, Williamson and Taylor aside to put his name on the record books or Imran Tahir sprinting across the field like a football star, look out for many more unlikely heroes to rise to the big occasion in the remaining games.
