The 2nd semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy will be played on Wednesday night as New Zealand take on South Africa for a place in the big dance. Check out our preview and betting tips for the action below.
ICC Champions Trophy Semi Final Betting Tips
New Zealand vs South Africa
Lahore, Wednesday 5th March, 8.00pm (AEDT)
New Zealand
New Zealand suffered their first defeat of the tournament on Sunday night as they went down to India in what was essentially a dead rubber to end the group stage. Both teams had already secured berths in the semi-finals but it was a convincing win for India, who made 9/249 batting first before bowling the Kiwis out for just 205 in 45 overs.
I doubt New Zealand will be too disheartened by the loss, especially their batting line-up which has looked world class during this tournament and boasts three century makers in Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Will young surrounding their mainstay in Kane Williamson.
Their bowling has left a little to be desired, throughout the tournament so far, and they’ll have a big decision to make as to whether they stick with Kyle Jamison, who has looked pretty underdone from a lack of cricket recently, or make a potential change.
Predicted XI: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamison, Will O’Rourke
South Africa
Group B was largely derailed by weather, particularly the game that everyone was looking forward to between South Africa and Australia. As such, the Proteas finished on top of the table with a 2-0-1 record, securing dominant wins over both England and Afghanistan.
Bowling first, their attack was dominant against England, taking just 38.2 overs to bowl their opponents out for 179. Wiaan Mulder was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/25 off just 7.2 overs, but the rest of their seam attack in Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada were all impressive.
Depending on conditions, they could opt to play another spinner for this match. However, they have steadfastly been the only team to refrain from playing two frontline spinners, opting to go with the four pronged pace attack instead.
Predicted XI: Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Prediction
I think this will be the hardest game to pick to date in this tournament between two of the most event matched teams in the world. Their recent history is testament to that as well. They have traded wins in their last eight straight matchups dating all the way back the 2016-17 season and have won one game each in their only two ODI matches against each other this decade.
The most recent of which, however, was in the Pakistani Tri Nation series just last month, in which New Zealand recorded a comfortable six wicket win on the back of a brilliant knock of 133 off 113 balls from Kane Williamson.
The Kiwis had a full strength side in that match, while South Africa had just one of the 11 players named in the predicted team playing. It’s safe to say this will be a different game, and I really like the form of the South Africans with both bat and ball at the moment. Back them to get the job done here with a full strength side.
South Africa H2H
$1.75 (2 Units)
Player Prop
I think Heinrich Klaasen is the best white ball player in the world at the moment. His run of form in ODI matches is ridiculous. In his last five matches, he has knocked up innings of 86, 97, 81, 87 and 64 to see him rise to the No.4 ranked ODI batsman in the world. He looks unstoppable in Pakistani conditions, which are so similar to Indian, where he had a dominant IPL last season. Back him to score another 50 here.
