New Zealand vs. South Africa: Date, Live Stream, TV Info for Cricket World Cup
Fourteen has become four in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, with the biggest hitters in the game taking their rightful places in the semi-final.
Before Australia take on reigning champions India, South Africa travel to Auckland to face a seemingly unbeatable New Zealand side.
The Black Caps have been unstoppable throughout the tournament, but they face their toughest test yet against a South Africa side that has produced endless sensational bowling displays.
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So, it’s the specialists with the bat against the ball experts and it’s all to play for.
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 1 a.m. GMT
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
TV Info: Sky Sports World Cup (UK only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)
Best of the Best Collide
South Africa and New Zealand’s respective quarter-final victories rather summed up their campaigns as a whole.
The Proteas brilliant bowled Sri Lanka all out for just 133, before New Zealand’s haul of 393 with the bat was too much for the West Indies.
Something’s got to give in Auckland, then, and South Africa will be hoping that their aggressive approach with the ball will prove successful again.
ESPN’s Freddie Wilde thinks as much, too, as he said that the Proteas should have all the motivation they need to try to limit their Kiwi counterparts:
Imran Tahir stole the show against Sri Lanka by taking four wickets for just 26 runs, and the way he bowls in the middle overs has revolutionised how South Africa attack with the ball and utilise spin.
Spin has always been a low point for South Africa. While they’ve called some great spinners their own in the past, they’ve never been able to use it effectively—until now.
Off-spinner JP Duminy was also in exceptional form against the Sri Lankans, taking a superb hat-trick, but as usual, it was a top, all-round performance.
Tahir himself reflected on as much after the quarter-final, saying that his and Duminy’s success was owed to the performances of the fast bowlers—per NDTV Sports:
"I think the fast bowlers set the standard for us. If they didn't do well, then obviously it wasn't going to be easier for us, as well. I think as a team we're working hard and going in the right direction. I think that's the key maybe for my success, maybe for Morne's, Dale's, JP's success.
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It’s that recipe that’ll stand South Africa in good stead against New Zealand on Tuesday, but any kind of slip up or off-day could prove disastrous, as the Black Caps will have no hesitation in putting them to the sword.
They proved exactly that against the West Indies, as slack deliveries were punished throughout the order—but, of course, especially by Martin Guptill.
The opener was nothing short of irresistible, finding boundary after boundary in a record-breaking unbeaten stand of 237 from just 163 balls.
Naturally, the praise came in thick and fast for the New Zealander, with England star Alex Hales one of many in almost disbelief at his brilliance:
While Guptill’s innings was spectacular, the West Indies didn’t help themselves in their pursuit of dismissing him.
Firstly, the New Zealander was dropped on just four runs, but after that, no deliveries to him were good enough.
Andre Russell was trying to play yorkers and ended up teeing him up for sixes. Needless to say, Guptill doesn’t need a second invitation on that front.
It was no surprise to see him avoid dismissal. The confidence was flowing and the ball must have looked the size of a beach ball as he blasted over the double-century line.
Guptill and co. need to resurrect such form again in the clash with South Africa, but it’ll be much harder for them this time around.
It’s a strange thing to say, but winning the toss could prove very important on Tuesday.
New Zealand may fancy testing South Africa’s resolve by putting them in to bat first, while the Proteas will want to give themselves an easy ride with a great bowling display to open the semi-final up.
Either way, it’s all set to be a thrilling semi-final, as the tension in this remarkable World Cup goes up another notch.
Prediction: New Zealand to win a very tight encounter.
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