New Zealand and South Africa are ready to face off in the 25th match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in Birmingham on Wednesday. Edgbaston in Birmingham will be used as the venue for the contest which will be hosting its 59th ODI on Wednesday. Highest team score at Edgbaston of 408-5 in a 50-over contest was registered by England in the match against New Zealand in 2015, whereas lowest total of 70 was registered by Australia in 1977. Highest individual score in an ODI contest at the ground of 171 not out was registered by New Zealand's Glenn Turner in 1975, whereas best bowling figures of 6-52 was registered by Australia's Josh Hazlewood in 2017.
For the Black Caps, there is an opportunity to win and go on top of the table as they currently have seven points after four matches. In the batting department, Kiwis will be relying on the likes of captain Kane Williamson, veteran opener Martin Guptill and veteran middle-order batsman Ross Taylor to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pace trio of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry to provide timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, for South Africa, the game is another do-or-die encounter as they have to win in order to stay alive in the competition. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, veteran opener
New Zealand and South Africa are ready to face off in the 25th match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in Birmingham on Wednesday. Edgbaston in Birmingham will be used as the venue for the contest which will be hosting its 59th ODI on Wednesday. Highest team score at Edgbaston of 408-5 in a 50-over contest was registered by England in the match against New Zealand in 2015, whereas lowest total of 70 was registered by Australia in 1977. Highest individual score in an ODI contest at the ground of 171 not out was registered by New Zealand's Glenn Turner in 1975, whereas best bowling figures of 6-52 was registered by Australia's Josh Hazlewood in 2017.
For the Black Caps, there is an opportunity to win and go on top of the table as they currently have seven points after four matches. In the batting department, Kiwis will be relying on the likes of captain Kane Williamson, veteran opener Martin Guptill and veteran middle-order batsman Ross Taylor to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pace trio of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry to provide timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, for South Africa, the game is another do-or-die encounter as they have to win in order to stay alive in the competition. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, veteran opener Hashim Amla and captain Faf du Plessis to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Imran Tahir to produce timely breakthroughs.
Player Recommendations:
Batsman: Kane Williamson (10 Cr)
Kane Williamson is being termed as one of the best batsman across all formats. The right-hander has represented New Zealand in 142 ODIs, where he has scored 5,673 runs at an impressive average of 46.50 and at a strike-rate of 82.28, which included 11 centuries and 38 fifties.
Wicketkeeper: Quinton de Kock (10 Cr)
Quinton de Kock is one of the most in-form wicketkeeper-batsman in the world. The 26-year-old has represented South Africa in 111 ODIs, where he has scored 4,788 runs at an impressive average of 45.60 and with a more impressive strike-rate of 95.39, which included 14 centuries and 23 fifties.
All-rounder: Jimmy Neesham (9 Cr)
Jimmy Neesham is becoming a permanent feature in the playing eleven. The 28-year-old has represented New Zealand in 52 ODIs, where he has scored 1,040 runs at an average of 30.58 and also has 50 wickets to his name.
Bowler: Imran Tahir (9 Cr)
Imran Tahir is a proven campaigner in white-ball cricket. The right-arm leggie has represented South Africa in 103 ODIs, where he has claimed 170 wickets to his name at a strike-rate of 31.20 and with an economy-rate of 4.66.
Predicted Playing XI:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir
