New Zealand is all set to take on the South Africa in Match 32 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Wednesday, November 1 at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. New Zealand is the favourite to win this encounter against South Africa.
New Zealand and South Africa have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 38 ODI matches, with New Zealand winning 25 games and South Africa winning 41 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 32 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between New Zealand vs South Africa.
Also Read: SA vs NZ, World Cup 2023: South Africa Team News and Injury Updates
Here are three player battles to watch out for during NZ vs SA match:
1) David Miller vs Mitchell Santner
The face-off between David Miller and Mitchell Santner promises to be an intriguing battle. In five encounters, Santner has dismissed Miller twice while conceding just 14 runs. Miller has struggled against the spinner, but he will be eager to overcome this challenge in the upcoming match. Santner, having taken 14 wickets in the tournament, will pose a substantial threat to Miller, who has accumulated 167 runs.
2) Rachin Ravindra vs Marco Jansen
Rachin Ravindra stands as New Zealand’s top run-scorer in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, amassing 406 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 81.20, which includes two centuries and two half-centuries. Ravindra aims to continue his splendid form against South Africa. However, he must remain cautious of Marco Jansen, who has also excelled. Jansen has secured 13 wickets in six matches and is eager to make another significant contribution to his team’s success against New Zealand.
3) Quinton de Kock vs Trent Boult
New Zealand is determined to get Quinton de Kock out early, considering his exceptional form as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. De Kock has accumulated 431 runs in six matches, boasting an average of 71.83, and has struck three centuries. To tackle this challenge, New Zealand will rely on Trent Boult, who has a strong track record against the South African opener. Boult has dismissed de Kock five times, allowing only 68 runs at a strike rate of 81. So far, Boult has claimed nine wickets in six tournament matches.