In a highly anticipated showdown, the 32nd match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is set to feature a face-off between South Africa and New Zealand. This crucial encounter will unfold at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, where both teams currently find themselves among the top five in the points table. The outcome of this match is poised to determine the next steps towards the coveted semi-finals, making it a pivotal moment in the tournament.
Particularly for New Zealand, a victory has become imperative as they are grappling with two consecutive defeats. On the other hand, the South African team is riding high on their recent form, having secured a thrilling win against Pakistan in their last match. As a result, this clash between the two teams promises to be a fierce battle.
This ODI contest holds added significance as it marks the first meeting between South Africa and New Zealand since June 2019. Their last encounter took place during the 2019 World Cup, where New Zealand secured a narrow victory, edging out South Africa by 4 wickets. In a previous matchup in 2017, South Africa had triumphed with a 6-wicket win. Overall, in the 71 ODIs played between these two cricketing giants, New Zealand has emerged victorious in 25 matches, while South Africa holds a dominant record with 41 wins. Furthermore, in the ODI World Cup, they have met on 8 occasions, with New Zealand winning 6 times and South Africa claiming victory in 2 matches.
One key aspect to watch for in this encounter is the toss. Given the conditions at Pune, it’s likely that the team winning the toss will opt to bowl first. The pitch, which is known for its dark color, offers substantial assistance to fast bowlers and provides good bounce. Batsmen often struggle with the new ball. However, as the evening progresses, the pitch tends to ease up, becoming more conducive to batting in the second innings. Thus, a competitive total on this ground typically falls in the range of 280 to 300. Yet, the team batting first will aim to push their score closer to 350, ensuring their bowlers have a challenging total to defend.
Examining their performances in the tournament so far, in the powerplay (1-10 overs), New Zealand has scored 307 runs at a run rate of 5.52, with an average of 43.86, while South Africa has managed 295 runs at a run rate of 5.2, with an average of 36.88. New Zealand faced 240 dot balls, while South Africa encountered 227 dot balls.
In the middle overs (11-40 overs), South Africa notched up 1093 runs at a run rate of 6.32, with an average of 52.05, whereas New Zealand scored 1064 runs at a run rate of 6.27, with an average of 88.67. South Africa faced 465 dot balls, and New Zealand confronted 454 dot balls. In the death overs (41-50 overs), South Africa registered 520 runs at a fiery run rate of 10.82, with an average of 37.14, while New Zealand managed 343 runs at a run rate of 8.32, with an average of 22.87. South Africa faced 96 dot balls, and New Zealand encountered 83 dot balls.
Overall, South Africa has demonstrated superiority in both run-scoring (1908 runs) and batting averages (43.86) compared to New Zealand (1714 runs and an average of 39.9). Furthermore, South Africa faced fewer dot balls (561) than New Zealand (677).
The cricketing world eagerly awaits this high-stakes clash as South Africa and New Zealand battle it out for supremacy in the World Cup 2023. The outcome of this match may well shape the journey of these teams in the tournament, with the race to the semi-finals intensifying. Cricket enthusiasts and fans can expect a gripping contest as these two formidable sides collide in this epic encounter.
