Image Credit- Getty
In 2011, it all began in Mirpur with a World Cup
quarterfinal that descended into a full-fledged brawl. It heralded the
beginning of a cricket rivalry that is little spoken but frequently results in
heart-wrenching contests, much like the rugby World Cup final from a few nights
prior.
The two most recent men’s ODI World Cup matches since
the rivalry began were thrilling matches in Auckland in 2015 and Birmingham in
2019. One will be a league match, such as Wednesday’s, and the other a
semi-final with everything on the line. This one will determine the composition
of the top half of the points table going into the final stretch of the league
stage.
In summary, South Africa has needed to win the World
Cup matches against New Zealand for three consecutive men’s World Cups; in
actuality, South Africa has lost five consecutive World Cup matches against New
Zealand. The teams are still quite securely positioned for the semi-finals, so
the stakes aren’t as high in Pune on Wednesday, but both sides will want to win
at the very least just to build momentum.
After beginning the season with four straight
victories, New Zealand’s easy sailing came to an end when they lost to
Australia and India in back-to-back games due to a plethora of niggles. South
Africa has been gung-ho, demonstrating that their one defeat—against the
Netherlands—was an anomaly. Their bowling has been adequate and their batting
depth has grown more dangerous, as was to be predicted.
Aside from the outcomes, the game delivers a potent
combination of excitement with the ball and bat power. Quinton de Kock is a
genius, and there’s big-hitting from Henrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Glenn
Phillips, as well as aesthetics from Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Rassie
van der Dussen.
With the ball, there is pace royalty in Kagiso Rabada,
Trent Boult’s swing, Gerald Coetzee’s bustle, and Marco Jansen’s bounce; each
of them adds a distinct flavour that makes fast bowling exciting. It will be
quite the spectacle if they all participate.
Now for a good pitch and great weather to make it all
come together.