New Zealand and South Africa are set to battle it out in the T20 Tri-Series final today, with the Black Caps riding an impressive winning streak.
Road to the Final
Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand squad has been in exceptional form, dominating the league stage of the Tri-Series which also included Zimbabwe. They secured comfortable victories against both host nation Zimbabwe and their final opponents, South Africa, twice each.
South Africa, led by Rassie van der Dussen, had a tougher path to the summit clash. Their spot in the final was secured primarily through victories against Zimbabwe, as they continue to build their squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.
In their previous encounters during this series, New Zealand proved superior. In one match, they successfully defended a target of 173 runs, bowling out South Africa for a 21-run victory. More recently, New Zealand made light work of a 135-run chase.
That chase was spearheaded by Tim Seifert, whose unbeaten 66 ensured a comfortable seven-wicket win for the Black Caps. This followed a cohesive bowling performance that effectively restricted the Proteas’ scoring.
Predicted Lineups for the Summit Clash
Cricket fans are eager to see who takes the field in this high-stakes final. Here are the likely playing XIs for both teams, indicating the key players expected to feature.
New Zealand Predicted XI:
Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke
South Africa Predicted XI:
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Nqaba Peter, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka
Match Details and How to Watch
The T20 Tri-Series final between New Zealand and South Africa is scheduled for today, Saturday, July 26. The action will unfold at the iconic Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
The match is set to commence at 4:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). The toss will happen half an hour earlier, at 4:00 PM IST, setting the stage for the crucial decider.
For viewers in India, the final match will not be broadcast on any traditional television channels. However, fans can still catch all the live action directly on their mobile devices or computers.
The live stream of the match will be available exclusively on the FanCode app and its website in India. Make sure to tune in for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the Tri-Series.
Key Takeaways
- New Zealand enters the final undefeated, having beaten South Africa twice in the league stage.
- South Africa secured their spot by defeating Zimbabwe, looking to upset the strong Black Caps.
- The match kicks off at 4:30 PM IST today at Harare Sports Club.
- Fans in India can stream the final live on the FanCode app and website.
This final promises a thrilling contest as both teams vie for the Tri-Series trophy in a vital preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
