Its semi finals time and we have reached the most exciting phase of any ICC Tournament, specially the World Cup. The 2015 edition of the mega event did see a few surprises with spirited performances from the associate nations and the shocking group stage exit of England. But eventually, India, South Africa, New Zealand and South Africa, who are the best sides on paper, have made it to the last four.
Two very strong One Day International sides, South Africa and New Zealand are ready to take on each other in the first semi final of the World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland. Interestingly, the winner of this match will reach the finals of the World Cup for the very first time in the relatively long history of the most important cricket tournament. For two sides filled with big match players, both teams have been guilty of underachieving. It just puts light on the importance of absorbing and performing under pressure. Here’s looking at the keys to success for both the teams in this all important fixture.
Pitch Conditions
Eden Park is one of the largest stadiums in New Zealand with a capacity of 50000. Traditionally, the pitches here have been on the slow side and good for batting. But throughout this World Cup, pitches have been conducive to swing bowling and we have been treated to some amazing low scoring encounters like the one between Australia and New Zealand where the calmness of Kane Williamson guided the Black Caps to a one wicket victory. During this edition of the World Cup, 3 out of the 4 games played in Auckland have been won by the side chasing and so, the team winning the toss will be happy to bowl first. Another interesting fact is that the wickets at Eden Park are “drop in pitches” (information credits- cricbuzz). It is a kind of cricket pitch which is prepared away from the ground and literally “dropped in” to place.
South Africa
This team has always had the potential to go the distance but has always faltered under pressure. They started their campaign as favorites and were pretty efficient in the group stages barring losses to India and Pakistan. They even crossed the 400 run mark twice on the back of magnificent striking from the one man army, AB De Villers. Although they were clicking as a batting unit, their bowling seemed off color until the quarterfinal match against the Sri Lankans. In what proved to be the final appearance in colored clothing for two greats, Sangakkara and Jayawardene, it was the aggression of Dale Steyn backed up by the variations of Imran Tahir that helped South Africa to restrict the Lankan tigers to a lowly 132 before the batsmen helped the team stroll to victory. De Villers will be hoping that his boys keep performing well till they lift the World Cup.
New Zealand
The Black Caps have always been the dark horses at the World Cup, reaching the semi finals on a numerous occasions and Brendon McCullum knows that this is their best chance of going all the way. The co- hosts justified their reputation as favorites by winning six out of six games in the league stages. All their wins came in a typical fashion, with McCullum getting off to a brisk start and Southee and Boult rattling the opposition with their pace and swing. They have had a simple strategy of being aggressive and going all guns blazing, be it with bat or with ball. It is a risky strategy which almost failed on two occasions (against Australia and against Scotland). In the quarterfinals against the West Indies, Martin Guptill surprised one and all with a stroke filled 237*. McCullum will want to continue the winning streak and be aggressive and positive.
Key Clashes
1. Dale Steyn vs. Brendon McCullum- Steyn is currently the most aggressive fast bowler in the world and McCullum is the most aggressive batsman. So, when these two face off, there will be fireworks for certain.
2. AB De Villers vs. Trent Boult- Trent Boult is currently in the form of his life, getting the ball to swing in the air and move off the pitch. So, if there is any bowler who has the greatest chance to get the 360 degree batsman, AB De Villers out, it has got to be Boult.
3. Martin Guptill vs. Imran Tahir- These two players have been the real surprise packages for their respective teams. It will be interesting to see how these two perform in the all important fixture.
Final Verdict
If South Africa has the experience of Amla, New Zealand has the old fox, Vettori. If the Black Caps have the all round abilities of Anderson, the Protease have the consistent Du Plesis. So, we can say that on paper, both the teams are evenly matched but I still think that New Zealand have the advantage. The most influential factor in favor of the Black Caps is the home crowd. In any sport, home support plays a very important role in boosting their side’s morale in crunch situations. It is also important to note that, New Zealand have played and won all their matches so far on home soil. So I think it will be New Zealand in the finals. What do you think??
- Dhruvan Sharma
Two very strong One Day International sides, South Africa and New Zealand are ready to take on each other in the first semi final of the World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland. Interestingly, the winner of this match will reach the finals of the World Cup for the very first time in the relatively long history of the most important cricket tournament. For two sides filled with big match players, both teams have been guilty of underachieving. It just puts light on the importance of absorbing and performing under pressure. Here’s looking at the keys to success for both the teams in this all important fixture.
Pitch Conditions
Eden Park is one of the largest stadiums in New Zealand with a capacity of 50000. Traditionally, the pitches here have been on the slow side and good for batting. But throughout this World Cup, pitches have been conducive to swing bowling and we have been treated to some amazing low scoring encounters like the one between Australia and New Zealand where the calmness of Kane Williamson guided the Black Caps to a one wicket victory. During this edition of the World Cup, 3 out of the 4 games played in Auckland have been won by the side chasing and so, the team winning the toss will be happy to bowl first. Another interesting fact is that the wickets at Eden Park are “drop in pitches” (information credits- cricbuzz). It is a kind of cricket pitch which is prepared away from the ground and literally “dropped in” to place.
South Africa
This team has always had the potential to go the distance but has always faltered under pressure. They started their campaign as favorites and were pretty efficient in the group stages barring losses to India and Pakistan. They even crossed the 400 run mark twice on the back of magnificent striking from the one man army, AB De Villers. Although they were clicking as a batting unit, their bowling seemed off color until the quarterfinal match against the Sri Lankans. In what proved to be the final appearance in colored clothing for two greats, Sangakkara and Jayawardene, it was the aggression of Dale Steyn backed up by the variations of Imran Tahir that helped South Africa to restrict the Lankan tigers to a lowly 132 before the batsmen helped the team stroll to victory. De Villers will be hoping that his boys keep performing well till they lift the World Cup.
New Zealand
The Black Caps have always been the dark horses at the World Cup, reaching the semi finals on a numerous occasions and Brendon McCullum knows that this is their best chance of going all the way. The co- hosts justified their reputation as favorites by winning six out of six games in the league stages. All their wins came in a typical fashion, with McCullum getting off to a brisk start and Southee and Boult rattling the opposition with their pace and swing. They have had a simple strategy of being aggressive and going all guns blazing, be it with bat or with ball. It is a risky strategy which almost failed on two occasions (against Australia and against Scotland). In the quarterfinals against the West Indies, Martin Guptill surprised one and all with a stroke filled 237*. McCullum will want to continue the winning streak and be aggressive and positive.
Key Clashes
1. Dale Steyn vs. Brendon McCullum- Steyn is currently the most aggressive fast bowler in the world and McCullum is the most aggressive batsman. So, when these two face off, there will be fireworks for certain.
2. AB De Villers vs. Trent Boult- Trent Boult is currently in the form of his life, getting the ball to swing in the air and move off the pitch. So, if there is any bowler who has the greatest chance to get the 360 degree batsman, AB De Villers out, it has got to be Boult.
3. Martin Guptill vs. Imran Tahir- These two players have been the real surprise packages for their respective teams. It will be interesting to see how these two perform in the all important fixture.
Final Verdict
If South Africa has the experience of Amla, New Zealand has the old fox, Vettori. If the Black Caps have the all round abilities of Anderson, the Protease have the consistent Du Plesis. So, we can say that on paper, both the teams are evenly matched but I still think that New Zealand have the advantage. The most influential factor in favor of the Black Caps is the home crowd. In any sport, home support plays a very important role in boosting their side’s morale in crunch situations. It is also important to note that, New Zealand have played and won all their matches so far on home soil. So I think it will be New Zealand in the finals. What do you think??
- Dhruvan Sharma