Brendon McCullum’s unique appeal to New Zealand cricket fans ahead of semi-final against South Africa
Brendon McCullum's unique appeal to NZ cricket fans ahead of semi-final against SA
Auckland: After the quarter-final clash against Pakistan, Australian captain, Michael Clarke was asking people to come and support Australia in the semi-final clash against India at the SCG. Crowd is like the 12th man for teams, when you do well, they enjoy every bit of it and when you are bit low, they can cheer you up like no other. New Zealand skipper, Brendon McCullum too has called for people to come down to Auckland and support their team in the semi-final clash against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. READ: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: New Zealand, South Africa aim to end years of pain
The appeal was on the first page of The New Zealand Herald, today in form of a letter signed by the Kiwi skipper. It requested people to come down to Eden Park, to cheer them and get them over the line against South Africa. It said they had a seat reserved and a flag which will not wave itself. In this day and age, every one’s is wanting to do the best they can to win the game and if the crowd support can help the Black Caps win, any New Zealand resident will be more than happy to contribute in the best way they can. SA will win ICC World Cup 2015 if they can beat NZ in semi-final: Gibbs
When New Zealand and South Africa met in a pre-tournament hit out, Trent Boult took five for 51 in a 134-run win over a Proteas side without key figures Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn. South Africa won an One-Day International series 2-0 against New Zealand without Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor late last year. It was the start of build-up that has seen New Zealand hit form at the right time with wins in their past nine games — they have never won 10 in a row — while South Africa were beaten by Pakistan in World Cup pool play. Their crunch showdown takes place at Eden Park, whose drop-in pitch and short boundaries ought to favour batsmen, but where results show the 300 mark has been bettered only six times in ODIs. New Zealand, South Africa rule out sledging in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final 1
Between them, New Zealand and South Africa provide half of the top 10 bowlers at this World Cup. Boult is the leading wicket-taker with 19 and is joined by fellow Kiwis Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee with 15 scalps, the same as Imran Tahir, while South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel has 14. Martin Guptill, coming into form with back-to-back centuries is the second-highest run scorer with 498, with AB de Villiers in fourth place, further 81 runs further back. Martin Crowe heaps praise on Martin Guptill for brutal 237 vs West Indies in quarter-final
Although the bookmakers have South Africa as favourites, New Zealand have come out on top the last three times the teams have clashed at a World Cup. However, the Black Caps were handed a setback on Monday when fast bowler Adam Milne was ruled out of the tournament with a left heel injury. Late call-up Matt Henry will duel with seasoned international Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan to take Milne’s place.