David Leggat: My inclination would be to bowl first because it you bat poorly first up it will be a struggle to get back up to win. However, even if the opposition get a decent total, you always have the final chance to chase down. In other words, it's easier to chase a big total, than defend a small one.
What is a defendable target on this ground?
Dylan Cleaver: That's a tough one. Against Australia, 151 was near defendable and Pakistan comfortably defended a D/L target of 232 in 47 overs. Both times, however, run rate wasn't the issue, but brilliant displays of seam bowling. The defending team will want at least 280 and even then probably won't feel comfortable.
Andrew Alderson: You can defend 250 on this ground in these conditions without the need for exceptional bowling spells. Teams get greedy when they see the rope a mere 50m away. Eyes light up and heads go in the air.
David Leggat: Despite the wonky shape of the ground, with short boundaries, that does not necessarily translate to 300+ scores. Clearly the more the better, but the team batting first will want 270.
No splinters in the bottom here, who wins and, briefly, why?
Dylan Cleaver: I've been picking against New Zealand all tournament and it's worked well, so why change. My feeling is NZ are the better team: they have few weaknesses, field as a pack and obviously love playing the brand of cricket they have been given licence to. If I'm being honest, though, South Africa have the best three players on the park in Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn. Sometimes in cricket, unfortunately, individual brilliance outguns a brilliant team.
Andrew Alderson: NZ win. I've backed them the whole way and will continue to do so. Their methodology of an aggressive approach with suitable safety nets still sits comfortably regardless of the opposition.
David Leggat:
New Zealand will win, but not by much. They are on a fabulous roll, just about every move has worked and despite the high quality of the opposition, I believe that roll will continue today.
