Unbeaten New Zealand in salivating semi-final with South Africa

New Zealand (7/2 tournament chances) have arguably been the best team this ICC World Cup as they, along with India (who face Australia in the other semi-final), are undefeated from their seven matches coming into the last four.

The co-hosts are playing on home soil at Eden Park in Auckland against South Africa (3/1), and are even-money chances with Coral for victory.

But the Proteas are priced as the slight favourites, odds-on at 4/5, despite losing twice this tournament already.

Neither nation has ever reached the final of the ICC World Cup, so New Zealand (who have reached six semis before) and South Africa (three) will be desperate to make it into unchartered waters.

The key batsmen to look out for in these respective teams will be the Black Caps’ Martin Guptill and Proteas superstar skipper AB de Villiers, who have both smashed more than 400 runs this tournament so far.

Back Guptill, fresh from his devastating unbeaten individual knock of 237 against the West Indies in the quarters, to top score for his country again at a tempting 7/2.

Record-breaker De Villiers, who prior to the finals smashed a century in the fewest balls in an ODI ever, meanwhile, is a 10/3 shout for the Proteas.

New Zealand duo, captain Brendon McCullum and rising star Kane Williamson, have also scored 200 plus runs, and are respective 10/3 and 3/1 chances for the co-hosts. While South Africa’s David Miller, who has 275 from his seven innings, is 8/1 for his side.

In the bowling department, Trent Boult has been the main man this World Cup for the Black Caps, having taken 19 wickets (including three against the Windies) at an average of 14.63 so far. He is 5/2 to be best with the ball for his nation here, and Tim Southee is priced at 10/3.

For the Proteas, spinner Imran Tahir claimed impressive figures of 4-26 against Sri Lanka in the quarters, and he is 3/1 to do so in Auckland too. Star bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn are the same price as well.