*Official* Quarter Final 3 - New Zealand v South Africa

[James]

New Zealand v South Africa
Fri Mar 25
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
08:30 GMT | 14:30 local | 19:30 EST | 19:00 CST | 16:30 WST

New Zealand Squad

Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (wicketkeeper), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock

South Africa Squad

Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wicketkeeper), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk (wicketkeeper)

[BeeGee]

Confidence is low, which is perfect for NZ.

I hope SA choke, but they'll probably save that for the semis.

[Somerset]

Originally Posted by James

Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (wicketkeeper), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock

Apparently Bennett has been replaced by Daryl Tuffey in the XV after Bennett's injury during the Sri Lankan match: World Cup 2011: Daryl Tuffey replaces injured Hamish Bennett | Cricket News | ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 | ESPN Cricinfo

[straw man]

We haven't played South Africa in ages, which is probably a good thing as they haven't had a chance to wipe the floor with us like every other team has in the last 12 months.

South Africa huge favourites obviously. NZ simply cannot bat first - combine our propensity to collapse with an inability to judge a par score and build towards it, and it's a recipe for disaster. We used to be good at batting second but now are not - still it's a better bet than batting first, and there's always a chance our decent bowling attack (assuming fitness) can restrict South Africa to a moderate score.

[BoyBrumby]

Have to fancy SA for it, I'm afraid. On paper at least I reckon they have the best team & squad in the tournament. We proved they can still get a little chokey chasing small targets tho.

[Woodster]

Think in theory this is the most straight forward outcome in the quarters. SA have shown what they're capable of, they now have a balanced attack capable of being effective on all types of pitches, and while they're batting depth is not as strong as it has been in years gone by, the top order have all shown flashes of good form and as a unit should have too much for NZ.

NZ will relish being the underdogs, but the responsibilty will fall on the shoulders of Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum to get a big score, just not sure they'll get enough.

[flibbertyjibber]

Looks on paper the easiest match to predict of all the quarters, so New Zealand are bound to cause an upset and win now.

Game could hinge on the form of the returning spinners, if one gets belted it could be costly.

[Hurricane]

I will watch the game closely and root for us. Our batting is just too brittle to deserve to win this. It will take a piece of Taylor brilliance for us to score 300 and defend it.

Our only realistic chance of winning is for us to pull off some fluke catches and turn the game on its head.

[Bahnz]

While I think we've got more of a chance against SA than we would've if we'd been matched with India, it would still be a staggering upset if we won. From my point of view, our best bet would be to bat first, put up something competitive (220ish), and then let Timmeh and the spinners have their way. It could happen, right? Right?

[Isura]

NZ bowling is far too weak. Barring a massive choke job I can't see SA losing this

[KiWiNiNjA]

Originally Posted by Isura

NZ bowling is far too weak

Surely you meant batting.

[Jono]

Would be oh so awesome if NZ won.

[smalishah84]

would be an upset if NZ won

[Lostman]

NZ for the upset and surprising every one. Taylor and Ryder to carry the batting.

[tooextracool]

Originally Posted by straw man

We haven't played South Africa in ages, which is probably a good thing as they haven't had a chance to wipe the floor with us like every other team has in the last 12 months.

South Africa huge favourites obviously. NZ simply cannot bat first - combine our propensity to collapse with an inability to judge a par score and build towards it, and it's a recipe for disaster. We used to be good at batting second but now are not - still it's a better bet than batting first, and there's always a chance our decent bowling attack (assuming fitness) can restrict South Africa to a moderate score.

Bat 2nd IMO. Not just because it will probably be a slow wicket but also because almost all SA choke feats have one thing in common - SA chasing a target.