South Africa WWWLL
New Zealand WWWLW
Watch out for...In a batting order full of fear for bowlers, Albie Morkel strides out with the job of extending the pain. He took only 11 balls to launch 24 runs against Scotland and has proved the consistency of his power. Australia were tormented by his blade during the southern hemisphere summer - and he can bowl as well.
Brendon McCullum is the global star at the top for New Zealand, but Jesse Ryder offers the perfect support. Being a left-hander, Ryder can take advantage of the line from bowlers used to aiming at McCullum, and he is quick to benefit from any lapse. Sometimes his shots are effortless; others are as fierce as they look. If this pair fires over the next week it can land New Zealand a spot in the final.
Team newsThe captain Daniel Vettori is likely to miss his second match in a row with an injury to his bowling arm, especially as this game will have no bearing on what happens in the Super Eights. Kyle Mills is bowling again following a back strain picked up during his non-playing stint in the IPL and could be available.
New Zealand squad Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan (wk), Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.
South Africa will be torn slightly between giving their fringe squad members, such as Robin Peterson and Justin Ontong, a game or continuing with their first-choice line-up. It was hard to fault any of their players in the demolition of Scotland.
South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Yusuf Abdulla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe.
Pitch and conditionsThis is the tournament's return to Lord's following England's defeat to the Netherlands on the opening day. On that occasion run-scoring wasn't easy in the greasy conditions, which could be repeated with rain predicted on Tuesday.
Stats and Trivia
Jacob Oram's career strike-rate of 155.95 is the highest for New Zealand and places him 12th on the game's all-time list. Albie Morkel leads South Africa with a mark of 143.92 sitting him in 24th South Africa's 211 for 5 against Scotland was the fifth-highest total in Twenty20 internationals In the three matches between the teams, South Africa won twice in 2007 and lost in 2005
Monday, June 8, 2009
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