New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bowl first against South Africa in their World Cup match in Edgbaston on Wednesday. The toss was delayed due to a wet outfield.
South Africa, who have had a dismal start to their World Cup campaign, will be bolstered by the return of a fully fit Lungi Ngidi. The Proteas are placed 8th in the points table after losing three straight games followed by a washout. They recorded their maiden win in the tournament against last-placed Afghanistan.
South Africa will have to improve their performance in both the batting and bowling departments if they are to avenge their heartbreaking semifinal loss to New Zealand in the previous edition of the World Cup. Openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, and captain Faf du Plessis will have to bring their A-game in batting to take on New Zealand's seam attack.
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New Zealand, on the other hand, are comfortably positioned in second place after England took the top spot with their massive win against Afghanistan at Old Trafford. The Kiwis have won all the games they have played, barring a washout against India.
The Kiwis have a sound team with both the batting and bowling departments clicking. The top order, including Williamson, Colin Munro and Ross Taylor, has been steady with its performance and Trent Boult has been phenomenal leading the bowling attack.
Squads:
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi.
