New Delhi: Third-ranked New Zealand will meet an out-of-form eighth-ranked South Africa at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday for Match 25. The match is scheduled to start at 3 pm (IST).
New Zealand is one of only two unbeaten sides at the tournament, having won their first three matches and then had their meeting with India at Trent Bridge washed out last week.
New Zealand has a strong batting unit to depend upon. They also have two destructive all-rounders in Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme in their ranks. The Black Caps do seem to be a more balanced side in comparison to their opponents today.
Meanwhile, South Africa have had a woeful start to their World Cup campaign, having suffered 3 defeats on the trot before securing 3 points from their next two games. Despite their win against minion Afghanistan, they seem to be failing in all departments. South Africa’s next three matches are a must win for them.
The Proteas’ main cause of worry seems to be their bowling department. A lot will depend on veteran spinner Imran Tahir should the Edgbaston surface offer turn. The 40-year-old took two wickets each against England and Bangladesh, before running through Afghanistan. The major boost for South Africa is the return of young gun Lungi Ngidi. The pacer missed the last two matches because of a hamstring injury.
The weather forecast suggests a cloudy overcast today with moderate rains.
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Ms Kalinga