Fantasy Preview: Netherlands vs South Africa, Match 16, T20 World Cup 2024

Recent Form (most recent games first - completed matches)

Netherlands - W L L L W

South Africa - W L L L L 

Head-to-Head

Netherlands 1-1 South Africa

Previous meeting: Netherlands beat South Africa by 13 runs in Adelaide (2022 T20WC)

Venue details 

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

So far in this T20WC, two games have been played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York and both have proven to be extremely low-scoring encounters. The South Africa vs Sri Lanka clash saw a total of just 157 runs being scored in close to 36 overs, making it the slowest scoring encounter in T20WC history. In the second game, meanwhile, India chased down 97 in 12.2 overs after bowling Ireland out for 96. 

It’s an extremely bowler-friendly surface and the reason for the same is the pitch being extremely undercooked and under-prepared. 

Both games at the venue have seen absurd help for the quicks while bowling first. Pacers have averaged 8.9 with the ball in the first innings and have taken 15/18 non run-out wickets to fall. In contrast, the quicks have averaged 47 while bowling second, although that figure is partly inflated due to Ireland’s poor showing against India. Spin has largely been a defensive option at this venue.

Make no mistake, the captain winning the toss *will* opt to bowl first here.

Weather conditions

The first two games in New York were not interrupted by rain, and we’re expected to have a full, uninterrupted game on June 8 (Saturday) as well. Chances of rain during the game — 10.30 AM local time — are close to 0%. The weather is also expected to be pleasant, with the temperature said to be around 27°C during the morning. 

Players to watch out for

Max O’Dowd: The Netherlands opener, who scored a match-winning fifty against Nepal, is one of the most prolific scorers in T20WC history, having scored 419 runs in 12 innings at an average of 41.90. In fact, after 12 T20WC games, only Virat Kohli (6) has amassed more fifty-plus scores than O’Dowd’s five. On a slow, low and dicey New York wicket, the right-hander’s run accumulation will be key for Netherlands.

Ottneil Baartman: Anrich Nortje received all the plaudits after the Sri Lanka clash for his 4-wicket haul, but newcomer Ottneil Baartman was unplayable. The right-armer enjoyed an outrageous debut, bowling 20 dot balls in a 24-ball spell that saw him concede just 9 runs. Against Sri Lanka, he hit that sweet spot on the surface that saw him get prodigious seam. He’ll cause a lot of trouble to the Dutch batters even if he is half as good on Saturday.

Tim Pringle: The left-arm spinner, playing his second T20WC, spun a web around Nepal in Netherlands’ first clash of this T20WC, finishing with figures of 3/20. Crucially, he took the new ball and began the choke from the very first over. Pringle vs South African batters is an interesting matchup because, since the start of 2023, the Proteas have averaged just 25.2 vs left-arm spin.

Key Battles

Bas de Leede vs South Africa’s middle-order at the death

Since the start of 2021, nobody has taken more wickets in the 16-20 phase in T20WCs than Bas de Leede (12). At the death in this period, he’s also conceded runs at an economy of just 6.9. But in New York on June 8 (Saturday), de Leede will be up against a borderline unstoppable force: South Africa’s finishing trio of David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs. This mini-contest could just end up shaping the clash overall. 

Cricket.com’s suggested Fantasy XI

Probable XI

South Africa - Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman

Netherlands - Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Vikramjit Singh, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Teja Nidamanuru, Logan van Beek, Tim Pringle, Paul van Meekeren, Vivian Kingma

Streaming and Telecast details

The match will begin at 8:00 PM IST on June 8 (Saturday) and will be streamed and telecast on Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports.

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