New Zealand v South Africa: Trent Boult’s hold on Quinton de Kock should tilt contest in Kiwi’s favour

It’s win or book your flights home for the Proteas when they face New Zealand. But with Trent Boult having Quinton de Kock’s number it is the Kiwis who hold the value on the punt.

• Maxwell: ‘I love getting in as early as I can’
• Stoinis close to proving his Cup fitness
• Morgan’s joy of sixes as Poms charge on
• Haddin pep talk lifts under-fire Khawaja

New Zealand has been unseen and unheard, though not of its making.

The Kiwis won their third straight game when they disposed of Afghanistan on June 8, then their clash against India scheduled for June 13 was washed out.

Now is time for Kane Williamson’s men to make some serious noise.

Trent Boult is key to New Zealand’s World Cup chances.

They sit third on the table with seven points and a string of tough games ahead of them. A win on Wednesday night against South Africa would put them within touching distance of a semi-final berth.

With more at stake, it’s time for NZ’s class to rise in the form of Trent Boult, the world’s No. 2 ranked one-day international bowler.

The left-arm seamer has just three wickets at this World Cup to be behind teammates Lockie Ferguson (eight wickets @ 12.4), Matt Henry (seven @ 18.0) and James Neesham (six @ 12.7).

It’s not as if Boult is bowling poorly. His economy rate is a more than respectable 4.2 runs per over and he’s beaten the bat consistently.

Importantly for New Zealand, he will threaten South Africa’s best batsman, Quinton de Kock.

Boult has dismissed the Proteas opener four times in 79 balls in ODIs. No one has dismissed de Kock more (Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has also bagged his wicket on four occasions).

South Africa, after an inglorious start, must win its remaining four games against New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia to make the semis.

It welcomes back opening bowler Lungi Ngidi after he suffered a hamstring strain on June 2 against Bangladesh.

A fit again Lungi Ngidi will give South Africa some hope of competing with New Zealand.

The Proteas also broke their 2019 World Cup duck with victory against Afghanistan, but its batting has generally been underwhelming and will be no match for a highly-talented and evenly balanced Kiwi outfit.

THE DETAILS

NEW ZEALAND v SOUTH AFRICA

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, EDGBASTON, 7.30PM (AEST)

World ODI rankings: New Zealand 3 (rating 114), South Africa 4 (rating 112)

Birmingham weather forecast: Morning showers, 18C

TAB odds: New Zealand $1.73, South Africa $2.15

TV: Every match of the World Cup is LIVE and ad-break free during play on Fox Sports or live stream on Kayo Sports.

SUGGESTED BET

1 unit on Trent Boult to take the most wickets for New Zealand at $4.

Boult has bowled more overs (29.0) than any of his teammates in their wins against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Importantly, he gets to bowl in the prime wicket-taking periods in the opening and closing 10 overs.

TAB odds (most wickets for NZ tonight): Boult $4; Lockie Ferguson $4.20; Matt Henry, Tim Southee $4.50; Ish Sodhi $5; Mitch Santner $6; James Neesham $7.50; Colin de Grandhomme $8.

Paceman Lockie Ferguson is currently New Zealand’s top wicket taker in the competition.

THE WASH-UP

Game 24: England v Afghanistan

1 unit on Jonny Bairstow to top score for England at $3.50.

Bairstow made 90, his best innings of the tournament. Then Eoin Morgan went BANG! The England captain made a remarkable 148 off just 71 balls. He was a $6.50 chance to top score.

TOURNAMENT BALANCE: +5.57 units