ICC World Cup 2019: Match 25, New Zealand vs South Africa, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Along with India, New Zealand is the only team, that hasn’t lost a match thus far in the 2019 edition of the World Cup. But the Kiwis haven’t played cricket over the last 10 days as their last match against India at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham got washed off due to rain. With three resounding victories under their belt, the Black Caps have an incredible Net Run Rate of +2.163, the highest among all the teams.

Kane Williamson & Co are next scheduled to lock horns with South Africa on Wednesday at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Proteas, on the other, won their first game of the mega event against Afghanistan by nine wickets (DLS Method). Faf du Plessis‘ team is yet to bring out their A-game and it’s high time that they do so as a defeat in the next game could put their campaign in the doldrums.

Weather Report

Going by the weather forecast, it won’t be a surprise if the match gets washed off. From morning 9 AM until the end of the day, there is a severe chance of rain. The sun isn’t expected to make its way with the clouds hovering over throughout game-time. The temperature will be between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius. The humidity will come down as the day progresses.

Pitch Report

Out of 51 completed ODIs, 24 were won by the team, batting first. In the last five One-Dayers at the venue, the average score was 295. Even as a couple of matches were won by the chasing teams, the team batting first also got over the line in two matches. However, both teams have won thus far batting second and they may want to field first after winning the toss.

Playing combinations

New Zealand

The Black Caps won’t want to change their winning combination from the previous match. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill started with a couple of half-centuries. Both succumbed to low scores in the last two encounters. Kane Williamson has scored runs at an average of 119 but needs to work on his strike-rate, which is currently at 69.59. Ross Taylor has been their most fluent batsman with a strike-rate of 90.90.

Tom Latham hasn’t got going yet. In the bowling department, the experienced Trent Boult is yet to come into his own. Lockie Ferguson has bowled with pace and venom. Neesham also got his maiden five-wicket haul versus the Afghans. Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner are the other all-rounders in the lineup along with Neesham. Matt Henry has also been amongst the wickets.

Probable XI

Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

South Africa

The Proteas are likely to bring in Lungi Ngidi, who has recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained during the match versus Bangladesh. The speedster may replace left-armer Beuran Hendricks, who replaced Dale Steyn in the squad. Their batting is yet to get in flow. After three failures, Hashim Amla got an unbeaten 41 in the previous match, but he took 83 balls to score those runs.

Quinton de Kock has arguably been their best batsmen with 186 runs at an average of 46.50. Their bowling has been reasonable. Imran Tahir is the leading wicket-taker with eight scalps. Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris have made breakthroughs. The concern lies with Kagiso Rabada, who is yet to find his rhythm, though the youngster has picked up five wickets.

Probable XI

Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (C), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi

Probable Top Performer

Martin Guptill – New Zealand| Faf du Plessis – South Africa

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports

Online– Hotstar

Match Timings – 15:00 IST; 10:30 local

The prediction is for New Zealand to win the match.