Cricket World Cup: Proteas sure to step up the pace

Martin Guptill. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand's ability to play quality pace bowling will be examined by South Africa in their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Auckland on Tuesday.

Last night, the Black Caps disposed of the West Indies in their quarter-final encounter in Wellington and the seam bowling of the men from the Caribbean was inconsistent.

Kiwi opener Martin Guptill blasted them to all corners and nothing will be taken away from his record-breaking knock of 237 not out but the Proteas are on another level.

In Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott and Vernon Philander, they have an imposing pace battery which can rile any side regardless of who is selected. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir has also taken 15 wickets at the World Cup.

It was only two years and two months ago when the Black Caps were shot out for 45 on the first day of a test match in the Republic. Steyn and Morkel combined for five wickets, and Philander took the other five.

Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson - New Zealand's likely top three for Tuesday - all played in that test and some scars may still remain.

The Black Caps were also exposed by the electric pace and movement of Australian left-armer Mitchell Starc when he took 6-28 during last month's Pool A thriller at Eden Park when New Zealand escaped with a one-wicket win.

Starc skittled the New Zealanders after they built up for the World Cup with games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who rarely tested them with the new ball.

Tahir, however, will be South Africa's semifinal wildcard. The leg-spinner bagged 4-26 in the Proteas' quarter-final win over Sri Lanka.

Quality leg-spin bowling is rarely seen on the international stage and Tahir has taken 70 wickets in 37 one-day internationals at 19.94 after making his debut for South Africa in 2011.

After New Zealand racked up 393-6 against the West Indies in Wellington yesterday, there is little reason to think their confidence wouldn't be sky-high but they will know a tougher test awaits.

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