The second semi final in the ICC Champions Trophy takes place in Lahore on Wednesday when South Africa take on New Zealand
South Africa
The Proteas topped Group B, unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 no result. South Africa made a winning start to the tournament, making short work of Afghanistan in Karachi by a margin of 107 runs. Bavuma, van der Dussen and Markram all made 50's in their bat first total of 315/6 and Rabada took 3 wickets.
The Proteas scheduled clash with Australia at Rawalpindi was completely washed out before a toss could be made. Their final pool match against already eliminated England was staged in Karachi on Saturday. Mulder and Jansen both took 3 wickets as England were bowled out for 179. In the chase van der Dussen hit 72 and Klaasen 64 as the Proteas got up for a 7 wicket win in just 29.1 overs.
This was how South Africa lined up last time out.
Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
New Zealand
New Zealand finished as runners up to India in Group A with 2 wins and 1 defeat. They booked a semi final place with comfortable wins over Pakistan, 6 wickets in Karachi and Bangladesh, 5 wickets in Rawalpindi.
On Sunday New Zealand lost their unbeaten record when they went down India in Dubai by 44 runs. India recovered from 30/3 to post 249/9 in their 50 overs and Matt Henry claimed 5 of their wickets. Kane Williamson top scored with 81 in the run chase but no other batsmen made it into the 30's and the innings closed on 205 all out in 45.3 overs.
This was how New Zealand lined up last time out
Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 73 times in this format and South Africa have won 42 to New Zealand's 26 with 5 no results
The most recent meeting came in a tri series with Pakistan just before this tournament began. The Proteas were way understrength for that series and they lost to New Zealand at this venue by 6 wickets.
A 2023 CWC match staged in Pune saw South Africa thrash New Zealand by 190 runs
The Betting
At the time of writing South Africa are 8/10 to win this match and New Zealand can be backed at around 21/20
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
Lahore has produced 2 high scoring games and 1 wash out and as long as the weather plays ball I can see plenty of runs. With that pressure on the bowlerss in mind I see one bowler from either side being carted for 19 runs or more in a single over.
Heinrich Klaasen was in the runs against England on Sunday and I see him as a crucial player with the bat and behind the stumps. He is my choice to beat his Player Performance quote. The same quote for Marco Jansen is also of interest.
Bet: Total in highest scoring over, over 18.5 at even money with Betway
Player Performance Heinrich Klaasen over 44.5 at 17/20 with Betway
Player Performance Marco Jansen over 44.5 at 17/20 with Betway
