NZ vs SA, ICC Champions Trophy semi-final: Key player battles
What's the story
The second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy promises to be a cracker of a contest as New Zealand take on South Africa on March 5.
The match will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and both teams would be hoping to break their jinx of underperforming in knock-out matches of big tournaments.
Here we look at the key player battles that can be on display.
#1
Rachin Ravindra vs Marco Jansen
New Zealand's batting sensation Rachin Ravindra has been stellar in ODIs.
The southpaw recently made a hundred against Bangladesh and won't mind replicating his heroics again.
South African seamer Marco Jansen will be hoping to get him out early.
This battle could be interesting as left-arm pacers have trapped Ravindra five times across 18 ODI innings, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Ravindra averages 34 in this battle.
#2
Daryl Mitchell vs Keshav Maharaj
Daryl Mitchell has been in phenomenal form for New Zealand in the middle order.
As he is known for his proficiency against spin bowling, South Africa's left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj can have a hard time against him.
Maharaj has been key for his team, providing them with crucial wickets consistently. Interestingly, Maharaj dismissed Mitchell in their only ODI meeting so far.
However, Mitchell has an overall ODI average of 60.83 against left-arm spinners.
#3
Heinrich Klaasen vs Mitchell Santner
Heinrich Klaasen has been a phenomenal clean striker in the middle and death overs. He has scored a fifty in each of his last five ODIs.
The dasher could be up against seasoned Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner in the latter half of the innings.
This battle could be enticing as Santner is known for his economical spells. However, Klaasen has an ODI strike rate of 125 against left-arm spinners.
#4
Ryan Rickelton vs Matt Henry
Ryan Rickelton smashed a brilliant ton against Afghanistan and would be determined to play another defining knock.
Meanwhile, he will be challenged by Matt Henry in the upcoming encounter.
Henry made the ball talk in his preceding outing against the Indian team and claimed a fifer.
Notably, the paceman has taken 15 powerplay wickets since 2023 at 32.93.
Rickelton has a decent strike rate of 84.88 in the first 10 overs.