Match: New Zealand vs South Africa, Cricket World Cup 2023 (NZ vs SA)
Date: November 1, Wednesday, 2.00 PM IST
Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Two of the strongest sides, New Zealand and South Africa, will go head-to-head with each other in the 31st match of the ongoing 2023 World Cup. The match is set to take place on Wednesday, November 01, at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The Kiwis are placed in the third position on the table, while South Africa have occupied the second spot.
The New Zealand cricket team had a strong start to the current campaign, winning their first four matches against England, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. However, they faced their first defeat against India.
Following that loss, the Black Caps narrowly lost a high-scoring match against Australia. They were at the receiving end of a 175-run partnership for the first wicket between David Warner and Travis Head. Chasing a mammoth 389 to win, New Zealand put up a good fight before falling short by five runs. Rachin Ravindra scored a century while Daryl Mitchell scored a half century.
On the other hand, the South African team began their campaign with victories in their first two matches against Sri Lanka and Australia. However, they encountered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Netherlands in Dharamsala. However, they have won their last three games in a row. In their last game, they defeated Pakistan by 1 wicket in a thriller. Tabraiz Shamsi picked up four wickets to help restrict the opponents to a first innings score of 270, which South Africa chased down with a lot of hiccups.
Ahead of the next game of Cricket World Cup 2023, here is everything you need to know to maximize your chances of winning cash prizes on MPL fantasy.
New Zealand team news and predicted XI
Team news: Tim Southee, who was out with a broken finger, may return for this match. But Kane Williamson and Lockie Ferguson injured themselves in the previous game. While Williamson is expected to miss at least two matches, there is no update on Ferguson.
Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young
Predicted XI: 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (c, wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Jimmy Neesham, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Tim Southee/Lockie Ferguson
South Africa team news and predicted XI
Team news: Kagiso Rabada missed the last game due to a niggle but is returning for this match. This means one between Gerald Coetzee and Tabraiz Shamsi, both of whom have been performing well, might have to make their way out.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Predicted XI: 1 Temba Bavuma (c), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Gerald Coetzee/Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Lungi Ngidi
Pitch report and weather update
The pitch at the MCA Stadium is typically favourable for batting, as indicated by the previous seven ODIs played at the venue. In those matches, there have been five instances of teams scoring 300 or more runs, and two occasions where such targets were successfully chased down. The average first innings score at the venue in 294. The teams batting first and those chasing have had a fair share of results at the MCA Stadium, but chasing would be an ideal option on a batting friendly wicket.
The weather in Pune will be warm and sunny with a maximum day-time temperature of 33 degrees Celsius. Rain is not forecast.
Head-to-head record
The two countries have met 71 times in the 50-over format, out of which New Zealand have won 25 times, while South Africa have won 41 times. Five games produced no results. At the World Cup in particular, the two sides have met eight times, with New Zealand winning six while South Africa have won the remaining two.
Five players to watch out for
Here we list five players you must pick in your MPL fantasy XI for NZ vs SA, Cricket World Cup 2023
Rachin Ravindra – batsman, New Zealand
Rachin Ravindra has been a revelation for New Zealand in his debut World Cup. The left-handed batsman currently ranks as the third-leading run-scorer in the competition. In six matches, he has amassed an impressive 406 runs at an average of 81.20 and a strike rate of 107.69. He started his World Cup journey with a remarkable unbeaten 123 against New Zealand and continued to perform well in subsequent matches. In the Kiwis’ last two games, he notched up scores of 75 and 116.
Daryl Mitchell – batsman, New Zealand
Another batsman from the New Zealand team to pick is Daryl Mitchell, who has scored 322 runs in six matches at an average of 80.50 and a strike rate of 107.69. He scored an unbeaten 89 against Bangladesh, 130 against India, and followed it up with 54 against Australia.
Quinton de Kock – wicketkeeper batsman, South Africa
Quinton de Kock is the top run-scorer in the competition, amassing 431 runs in six matches, maintaining an impressive average of 71.83 and a brisk strike rate of 117.12. He has scored a century in three out of the six innings. During the match against Bangladesh in Mumbai, De Kock smashed 174 runs from 140 deliveries.
Heinrich Klaasen – batsman, Sri Lanka
Heinrich Klaasen’s strike rate has been impressive. In six matches, he has scored 300 runs at an average of 50 and an impressive strike rate of 149.25. Klaasen smashed 109 off 67 balls against England and 90 off 49 against Bangladesh.
Mitchell Santner – bowler, New Zealand
Among the best bowlers for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup has been Mitchell Santner. He has taken 14 wickets in six matches at an average of 20.21.
MPL XI
NZ vs SA – where and what time to watch the match live in India
The New Zealand vs South Africa ODI will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India. You can also watch the game on the Disney + Hotstar app as well as the Jiocinema app. The match will begin at 2.00 PM IST on November 1.
Check out our detailed guide on fantasy cricket for more tips and tricks. https://www.mpl.live/blog/todays-match-prediction/
Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.
