Co-hosts New Zealand are all set to meet South Africa in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2015 at Auckland on Tuesday. Short boundaries, steaming pace attacks, explosive batsmen, two aggressive captains, and a chance to make a World Cup final debut is as intense as a game of cricket can get. AB de Villiers and his equivalent in every way, Brendon McCullum, will leave no stone unturned in making a nerve biting contest out of this voltaic encounter.
Weather forecast for match day points towards chances of light rain showers in the forenoon. Rain may cause a slight delay but is not expected to lead to curtailment of play. Partly cloudy conditions are expected to prevail for a while before the sky clears up as the day goes on. Maximum temperature will settle at a comfortable 21°C while the minimum temperature will be recorded at 14°C. A light to moderate breeze of about 15 to 20 kmph is expected to blow over the region from the northwest direction. Conditions will remain humid with humidity levels expected to touch 72%.
New Zealand have been flawless in this edition and the team’s all-round performance has helped them maintain a 100% win record at the ICC World Cup 2015. Without a doubt, the co-hosts will walk out with one of the most balanced sides of the tournament. Meanwhile, the Proteas side have had their ups and downs. Team balance remains a pressing issue but ABD and his men pack all the lightning and thunder to shock the Kiwis and progress to the finals. On paper, both teams are ranked equally in terms of match-winners, game changers, and surprise elements.
Moreover, statistics further add to the bubbling thrill and excitement. Firstly, New Zealand maintain a 4-2 head-to-head advantage against South Africa in World Cup games. Secondly, South Africa have won the last five ODIs they played against the Kiwis in New Zealand. Thirdly, New Zealand nearly failed to chase down a paltry total against Australia on the same ground thereby exposing chinks in their otherwise solid batting armor. Fourthly, while McCullum’s men will walk out with a 100% win record backing them, ABD and Co. will be weary of the couple of chokes they suffered in the league stage. Lastly, the Kiwis and the Proteas have together lost 9 World Cup semi-finals.
As waves of Kiwi supporters flock together at Eden Park on Tuesday, nerves will be tested in both the camps. The excitement which was denied to cricket aficionados in the quarterfinal stages, will be paid back in full in the last three games of the ICC World Cup 2015. Tuesday’s clash between New Zealand and South Africa will be a kick starter to a week which promises some indelible cricketing action. Skymet will keep you updated on weather, cricket, and more as the hunt for the most coveted trophy in world cricket inches towards a mega showdown.
