The ICC Champions Trophy semifinal will be a fierce contest since New Zealand and South Africa, two sides with a history of white-ball heartbreaks, battle it out for a last’s appearance. Both the teams have experienced the shame of being referred to as underachievers at grand ICC tournaments, repeatedly falling short at the decisive moments despite possessing world-class players. But this time, one of them will break the trend and have an opportunity to clutch trophies.
A History of Near Misses
South Africa and New Zealand have endured repeated near-misses in ICC competitions year in and year out, reaching the penultimate round of elimination but never returning with the trophy.
The same has been the case with the Proteas since their notorious semifinal loss in the World Cup in 1992 at the hands of the controversial rain rule. Ever since, they have been losing matches in soap opera style—choking in pressure moments, getting eliminated in Super Overs, or being defeated in edge-of-the-seat chases. The phrase “South Africa’s curse” has been the epitome of their tendency to lose at the most critical moments. While they have given rise to some of the greatest cricketers who have ever graced the game, including AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, and Dale Steyn, they remain without an ODI World Cup or a Champions Trophy.
New Zealand, though, have been one of the most consistent teams in ICC events, getting to consecutive ODI World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019 before painfully missing out. They infamously lost the 2019 final to England on boundary count following a tied Super Over. Although they won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021, their quest for a first white-ball title remains ongoing.
With both sides keen on shedding the image of being perennial underachievers, this semifinal is more than a battle for a final spot—it’s about erasing their history.
Road to the Semifinal
Both teams have had excellent journeys through the tournament, with grit and determination to reach the knockout stage.
New Zealand’s ride has been supported by their well-balanced approach. Their strong top order, led by skipper Kane Williamson, has provided solidity, with Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell’s big-hitting batting skills providing punch. In bowling, Trent Boult and Tim Southee have done marvels with the new ball, aided by spin duo Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.
South Africa, though, have been among the tournament’s top-performing sides. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram have spearheaded their batting, while Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller have sealed victories. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have spearheaded the pace bowling with pace, while Keshav Maharaj has picked crucial wickets in the middle overs.
With both sides ready to reach their peak at the right time, the semifinal is all set to be an exciting battle.
Battles to Watch Out For
Kane Williamson vs Kagiso Rabada
The New Zealand skipper is famous for his level-headed and composed approach, but he will be thoroughly tested by Rabada’s attacking speed and precision. Williamson’s anchoring of the innings will give New Zealand a platform to start their innings from.
Quinton de Kock vs Trent Boult
De Kock’s aggressive start has gone in favor of South Africa, but Boult’s reverse ball swing in early stages can turn out to be his problem. How the duel between the two would go in deciding the fate of South Africa’s innings depends upon the equation below.
Glenn Phillips vs Anrich Nortje
Phillips has taken charge in middle overs and guarded both pacers and spinners. But the raw speed of Nortje can be his bane in order to implement short-balls.
Mitchell Santner vs David Miller
Miller is baulkable by death overs, but Santner’s astute left-arm spin could prove to be New Zealand’s ace in holding him back.
The Mental Game
Where skill and talent will be in the equation, the psychological aspect of the game cannot be discounted. Both teams have been prone to choke jobs in pressure games before, and the team with the better nerves of steel will be the one to win. South Africa will be looking to put to rest the “chokers” label, while New Zealand will be hoping to prove that they can get to a title-determining spot in an ICC white-ball tournament.
Prediction
The match is also as even as possible. The attacking inclination and power batsmen of South Africa are their only strength, but New Zealand’s ability to rejuvenate themselves and stay level-headed under pressure makes them a really dangerous side to play against. If South Africa can overcome their psychological block and stay level-headed under pressure, they might finally get to a major final. But if New Zealand hold their traditional tight cricket, then they could beat the Proteas for the second time in a row.
One thing is for sure—either of these two teams will only be able to depart the pitch at the culmination of the series with the “underachievers” tag no longer attached and edge closer towards their final victory. Cricket enthusiasts around the globe are in for a nail-biting showdown as two of the most talented sides face off against each other with something to prove.
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