In the opening match of this brief tri-series, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 78 runs. Glenn Phillips was named as the man of the match for his unbeaten 106, while Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner took three wickets each. In order to secure its position in the final of this series, NZ needs to win this second match against South Africa. The Proteas and Kiwis have faced each other in 72 One Day Internationals (ODIs). South Africa leads the head-to-head record with 42 wins, while New Zealand has secured 25 victories; 5 matches have ended without a result.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can tune in to watch SA Vs NZ live on Tens Sports and A Sports in Pakistan and Sky Sports Network in the UK. This match will be streamed at 9:30 am PST, 10:00 am IST, and 4:30 am GMT.
Team Analysis
Glenn Phillips has emerged as a pivotal asset for New Zealand’s ODI team, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess and adaptability. In the last ODI against the host nation, Phillips delivered a dominating performance, scoring his maiden ODI century off just 72 balls, propelling New Zealand to a formidable total of 330 runs. His aggressive batting style not only accelerates the team’s scoring rate but also exerts significant pressure on opposing bowlers. Accompanying him are other key middle order players like Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson, who solidify the New Zealand’s middle order by providing an anchoring support and contributing to the team’s total by forming lengthy partnerships.
In the bowling unit, Matt Henry has been instrumental for New Zealand. The gun pacer has taken 150 wickets in 85 matches, making him the eighth-fastest bowler to reach this milestone. His impressive average of 25.26 and a strike rate of 29.5 highlight his effectiveness in claiming wickets consistently. Notably, Henry holds the record for the most consecutive four-wicket hauls in ODIs, achieving this feat in three successive matches. His ability to deliver breakthroughs, as evidenced by his 3/53 against Pakistan in the last ODI tri-series opener, underscores his pivotal role in New Zealand’s bowling lineup.
South Africa’s ODI squad in this tri-series showcases a blend of seasoned players and emerging talents. The inclusion of six uncapped players—Matthew Breetzke, Meeka-eel Prince, Gideon Peters, Eathan Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, and Mihlali Mpongwana—infuses fresh energy and potential into the team. This can prove to be a strength as the youngsters can use this series as an opportunity to prove their worth for future games. But at the same time, light should be shed upon the obvious way that this risky decision can put the Proteas team in challenging situations with young players crumbling under slightest pressure.
The leadership of Temba Bavuma, combined with the experience of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, provides stability, and is another obvious strength in the South African squad. However, again the absence of key players like Kagiso Rabada and David Miller, due to SA20 commitments, may impact the team’s performance. We just have to wait and see how this new lineup works for the South African team, ahead of the official beginning of Champions Trophy 2025.
Match Insights And Conclusion
The kiwi players will be aiming to win this clash and qualify for the finals of this brief tru series. The key impact players for this highly anticipated encounter include Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner from the New Zealand side, and Tempa Bavuma and Tabraiz Shamsi from the Proteas side. If you want to watch SA Vs NZ live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
