New Zealand v South Africa: World Cup betting preview, tips and TV details

TV: Sky Sports Cricket / Main Event, 10.30am

Edgbaston, Birmingham

South Africa had to wait until their fifth match to chalk up their first win at this World Cup but their faint hopes of making the semi-finals could be dashed by a dangerous New Zealand outfit.

The Proteas beat tournament minnows Afghanistan by nine wickets in Cardiff last time out but the Black Caps represent a significant step up in quality.

New Zealand were dealt a soft start to the World Cup, swatting aside Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in their opening three matches before their highly-anticipated clash with India was abandoned.

But with a star-studded top-order and the likes of Matt Henry, James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson adding to the quality of Trent Boult with the ball, there is likely to be even more to come from the tournament's perennial dark horses.

Best bets

South Africa's last one-day international match at Edgbaston demonstrated how much limited-overs cricket has evolved in such a short space of time.

The Proteas lost to Pakistan by Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method at the Birmingham venue in the 2017 Champions Trophy, posting only 119 runs from 27 overs.

Quinton de Kock managed only 33 runs from 49 deliveries and Hashim Amla 16 runs from 20 balls on that occasion but there could be less disparity between that showing and their performance against New Zealand in the Midlands than expected.

South Africa's Achilles heel has been batting, and particularly quick-scoring, in this tournament and backing New Zealand to have the highest first 15 overs looks a value bet.

Amla is looking increasingly like a Test opener, having posted 13, 6 and 6 before taking 83 balls to score 41 runs against Afghanistan.

New Zealand's top order, meanwhile, is packed with explosive talent. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro blasted 17 boundaries on their way to a 137-run partnership to win the opener against Sri Lanka.

They are supported further down by the experienced Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.

Williamson in particular has been consistent at this tournament with scores of 40 and 79 not out in his last two innings and after he made a century in his last game at Edgbaston, backing him to score 40 runs or more could be a good move.

Recommendations
New Zealand to have highest score in first 15 overs
2pts 10-11 bet365
K Williamson to score 40 or more runs
2pts 5-6 Coral, Ladbrokes

Team news
New Zealand
The Black Caps are likely to name an unchanged team.

South Africa
Bowler Lungi Ngidi is expected to return after missing three matches with a hamstring injury.

Venue
Edgbaston played host to England's first 400-plus ODI total and will be used for one World Cup semi-final, having also held a last-four encounter between India and Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy two years ago.

Weather
Cloudy with the chance of showers interrupting play and highs of 16C.

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