South Africa and New Zealand face each other after big losses in their respective opening games against England and Australia.
New Zealand and South Africa meet after a year with both teams needing a pick-me-up.
Under somewhat different conditions, New Zealand and South Africa will play one other for the first time since they competed in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in October of last year. When they play in Indore on Monday, there won’t be much between the two sides, who both started their Women’s World Cup campaigns with crushing losses.
New Zealand’s 89-run loss to Australia exposed well-known issues with the bat; even though Sophie Devine scored a century, they collapsed in a chase of 327. Due to their inconsistency with the bat and the ball, they have lost 10 of 15 ODIs since the beginning of 2024. They faced additional difficulties because, in the six months preceding this World Cup, they had not participated in a single ODI.
Even though there have been standout performances, the batting group will be keen to work together. Since 2024, New Zealand has only scored 250 points or more twice. With Lea Tahuhu, the Kerr sisters, Jess and Amelia, Bree Illing, and Eden Carson, they have a blend of youth and experience in the bowling department, making them a cohesive team that can make an impact.
South Africa was bowled out for 69 in their terrible match against England in Guwahati. In Indore, they will seek a fresh start. With the majority of their runs coming from Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp, they are still a top-heavy team. However, they have suffered from dramatic batting collapses in their last two ODI losses, including a 115 all out loss against Pakistan. A third in a row will be difficult to come back from in this tournament.