Cricket World Cup 5 Talking Points: New Zealand v South Africa

South Africa managed to defeat New Zealand on Wednesday to cement a spot in the semi-finals. There are some of the pointers to take from the match. Here’s below.

5. History Beckons For Marco Jansen

Proteas bowler Marco Jansen has been incredible with the ball in India. The 23-year-old has taken 16 wickets so far to guide South Africa to six victories in seven games so far in the tournament. The lanky bowler is now two wickets away to record the most wickets in a single tournament by Proteas bowler. In the past, Lance Klusner took 16 wickets during the 1999 World Cup so is Morne Morkel during the 2015 edition played jointly in New Zealand and Australia. With two matches left in the pool table, Jansen is tipped to break the record and he is on good run to even become a bowler with the most wickets in India.

He is two wickets shy of Dilshan Madushanka (18) of Sri Lanka, which won’t progress to the next round and gives Jansen much much needed advantage.

4. Injury-Hit New Zealand Might Lose The Semi-final Spot.

New Zealand started brightly winning four matches in a row but since then they suffered three losses in a row. That has put them in danger of losing out to a semi-final spot. The list growing number of injuries inside their camp makes it difficult for them to keep rolling. Their star batsman Kane Williamson, Paceman Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, and Matt Henry are some of the players sidelined already. With the side preparing to face Pakistan, who still believe that the top four is within their reach, it going to be interesting on how will survive without these key players. For New Zealand, this World Cup is crucial as most players of the golden generation won’t be around until come next edition in 2027.

3. Temba Bavuma Is Yet To Click With The Bat.

Before the World Cup, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma played well during the Australia tour and that gave supporters a huge boost and hope. But in comes tournament, Bavuma has failed to replicate that form. In the five matches, he has played, he scored 111 runs which calls for concerns. In the match against New Zealand, he went out on 24. With Reeza Hendricks, scoring over 100 runs coming as the replacement to Bavuma in just two matches, fans have been starting to call his name to be in starting line-up.

2. 300 Plus Scoreline, A Norm For South Africa.

Throughout the tournament, Proteas have been wonderful with the bat. In five of the seven matches, Proteas have played so far have scored 300 plus scoreline. With one match going past 400 posting 428 against Sri Lanka. They have managed to achieve that against the good sides including England, Australia, and New Zealand. It no doubt that in the last 11 matches, Proteas has had 300-plus scorelines under their belt. That gives the opponents chasing a daunting task if you let them bat first. It was the same mistake, New Zealand made on Wednesday which backfired badly for them.

1. Quinton De Kock On Top Of The World.

Quinton De Kock has been a star with the bat in the ongoing World Cup in India. De Kock has scored 545 runs in the seven innings so far including four centuries under his name. He has already broken the most runs by Proteas batsman in a single World Cup. With the 30-year-old already indicated this would be his last tournament as he is going to retire on the international stage, It looks certain he wants to leave a very good mark. The record of 673 runs by Sachin Tendulkar in a World Cup is in danger with Proteas having booked a semi-finals spot.

BET Contributor