ICC World Cup 2023: New Zealand vs. South Africa - A Clash of Titans: Head to Head, Playing 11, Predictions

Anticipation is running high among cricket enthusiasts worldwide for New Zealand's match against South Africa at the ICC World Cup in 2023. The world's cricket fans are focused on this highly anticipated match. This piece will examine their past meetings, explore important statistical findings, evaluate important players, and make perceptive predictions for what looks to be an exciting match.

Match:- New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 (match no.- 32)

Date:- Nov 01, 2023 on Wednesday 

Time:- 02:00 PM IST in India

Venue:- Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune (Maharashtra)

Patch:- Batting friendly Patch and it helps the swing bowlers.

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium Records and Stats

Total ODI Matches: 8

Matches won batting first: 4

Matches won bowling first: 4

Average first innings score: 300

Average second innings score: 278

Did you know Facts?

° Herschelle Gibbs' 143 and Stephen Fleming's 134 not out were two of the three centuries scored in the World Cup matches between the two teams, and both came in the same match in Wanderers 2003.

° There has only been one bowler who has claimed more than three wickets in a World Cup match involving these teams, and that was Jacob Oram in the quarterfinal in Dhaka in 2011.

° The Kiwis emerged victorious in two of their six World Cup matches—the semifinal in 2015 and the quarterfinal in 2011.

Head to Head Record

South Africa is ahead in the 71 ODI format head-to-head meetings between these two nations so far. South Africa has won 41 of these meetings, while New Zealand has won 25 of them. Five of these meetings have resulted in a draw. New Zealand has won 3-2 in the previous five meetings.

Let's kick things off by examining the historical encounters between these two cricketing powerhouses. They have faced each other numerous times in various formats, and their clashes in World Cups have always been intense. 

South Africa had a slight advantage in head-to-head records in ICC World Cup matches as of the January 2022 cutoff, to the best of my knowledge. South Africa had emerged victorious from the earlier matches. But since cricket is a dynamic sport, results from previous games don't always portend what will happen in subsequent ones. Now let's examine the data and assess the advantages and disadvantages of each team.

Tactics & strategy

Among the top 20 totals in the tournament, four have come from New Zealand, with centuries coming from Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra. Thus, we can rely on them to be aggressive at bat. Their two most successful bowlers, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry, are both in the top 10 wicket-takers. Glenn Phillips, on the other hand, is a front-runner whose off-spin has become less sideline and more front-line each time he tries it.

Due to lower back spasms, Kagiso Rabada was unable to play against Pakistan on Friday in Chennai, but he should be able to on Wednesday. The only remaining decision for South Africa is whether to select Gerald Coetzee as their enforcer for fast bowling or Tabraiz Shamsi as a second spinner. 

Team Analysis

New Zealand

The Black Caps, representing New Zealand, are a well-balanced team that includes a mix of skilled players. They have continuously been formidable competitors in ICC competitions. Among the New Zealand team's standout players are the explosive ,Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Kane Williamson.

Any batting lineup can be pressured by their potent bowling attack, which is spearheaded by Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry and all rounder Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santer is the key player in their bowling lineup. In addition, New Zealand is always a difficult team to play against thanks to Williamson's cool-headed and collected leadership and deft batting.

South Africa

Another formidable force in cricket is South Africa, or the Proteas as they are affectionately known. With the support of some elite cricket players, their aggressive style of play makes them a strong opponent. Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen,  and Captain Aiden Makram and the seasoned Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi have been the cornerstones of the South African team.

With Rabada's explosive pace and a potent batting lineup, South Africa is a formidable bowling and batting combination. They have, however, encountered some difficulties at pivotal points in past competitions, and they will be keen to get past those obstacles in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Key Stats and Records

Let us examine some significant figures and records:

1. Highest Team Total: 

South Africa vs. Sri Lanka, October 7, 2023, 428/5 in this world cup 2023. This is the highest total by team in this World Cup. It is a remarkable testimony to their batting prowess that South Africa has the highest team total in their encounters.

2. Leading Run-Scorer: 

Q de Kock is the leading run scorer in this world cup 2023. 

In 13 ODIs against NZ, he has amassed 408 runs at 34, smashing four fifties.There has been a fascinating competition to be the top run scorer in New Zealand vs. South Africa matches. There have been exceptional players on both teams in a number of games.

3. Best Bowling Figures: 

Mitch Santner a best spinner from New Zealand best bowling figures 5/59 in this World Cup 2023. Tim Southee, a fast bowler from New Zealand, is ranked third bowlers in all over ODI World Cups. Southee defeated England 9-0-33-7 in a match that took place in Wellington during the 2015 ICC World Cup. In order to help bowl out England for 123 in 33.2 overs, Southee troubled the England batting lineup by taking the wickets of Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes. Southee's outstanding bowling performance carried New Zealand to an extensive eight-wicket victory against England in 2015 world cup and He individually destroys England. 

Predictions

1- Rachin Ravindra/Convey - one of them score atleast one century.

2- Trent Boult/Tabraiz Shamsi can take 2-2 wickets.

3- Opening pair of NZ scored atleast 50 runs in 10 overs.

The outcome of the match could change based on the performance of the day. What do you think who will win the match and secure their place to semi-finals??

Playing 11

Here is a starting lineup for each team based on their recent results and strengths, though the final playing 11 will depend on a number of variables:

New Zealand Playing 11

1. Devon Conway 

2. Rachin Ravindra

3. Tom Latham(c)(wk)

4. Will Young

5. Daryl Mitchell 

6.Glenn Phillips

7. James Neesham

8. Mitchell Santner

9. Matt Henry 

10. Trent Boult

11. Lockie Ferguson 

South Africa Playing 11 

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)

2. Temba Bavuma 

3. Aiden Markram

4. Rassie van der Dussen

5. Heinrich Klaasen

6. David Miller

7. Marco Jensen 

8. Kagiso Rabada

9. Tabraiz Shamsi

10. Lungi Ngidi

11. Gerald Coetzee

Key players For Dream 11

1. Devon Conway 

2. Rachin Ravindra

3. Quinton de Kock (wk)

4. Aiden Markram

5. Heinrich Klaasen

6. Marco Jensen 

7. Tabraiz Shamsi/ Keshav Maharaj

8. Kagiso Rabada

9. Trent Boult

10. Daryl Mitchell 

11. Mitchell Santner/Matt Henry 

Conclusion

The 2023 ICC World Cup matchup between these nations looks to be an exciting match. Fans from all over the world will celebrate cricket and the spirit of sportsmanship regardless of the outcome.

Watch this thrilling match in the 2023 ICC World Cup, and may the winning team be the best!! Do you think who will win the match?? Please comment down your guess??