New Zealand opt to bowl vs South Africa
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner called correctly at the toss and opted to chase against South Africa in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens.
Santner confirmed that their pace-bowling spearhead Matt Henry was part of their XI after returning to the World Cup in time. After New Zealand's final Super-Eight fixture against England at the Khettarama in Colombo, Henry flew back to New Zealand for the birth of his second child.
In the lead-up to the semi-final, New Zealand's coach Rob Walter was uncertain about Henry's availability, but the stars have now aligned for New Zealand. Seam-bowling allrounder James Neesham was back in the XI in place of legspinner Ish Sodhi, who had bowled four wicketless overs in Colombo.
Offspin-bowling allrounder Cole McConchie retained his spot, which meant there was no room for fast bowler Jacob Duffy.
South Africa brought back Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj who were all rested for the dead rubber against Zimbabwe. Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje and George Linde made way for the big guns.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram was wary of dew and suggested that there was moisture on the eve of the game when they trained.
South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ryan Rickelton, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Miller, 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Lungi Ngidi
New Zealand: 1 Tim Seifert(wk), 2 Finn Allen, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Glenn Phillips, 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Daryl Mitchell, 7 Mitchell Santner(capt), 8 Cole McConchie, 9 Jimmy Neesham, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Lockie Ferguson