Ricky ponting prediction: Veteran Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has described South Africa as a favorite team in the ICC Champions Trophy semi -finals against New Zealand. He has cited ‘a little more class and strength’ in the protrinage lineup. However, he warned that if Kane Williamson achieve his rhythm, he can alone the match in favor of New Zealand. Speaking on the ICC review on Tuesday, Ponting analyzed both sides and realized that the deep and destructive batting order of South Africa gives them the lead like India.
Ponting said, ‘If I look at both sides, I think there is a slight class in South African line-up. They bat deeply. I think they may have a little more strength for New Zealand. Accepting New Zealand’s ability to emerge in high pressure conditions, Ponting highlighted the importance of his most senior batsman Kane Williamson.
He said, ‘I think Williamson needs to score runs for him in this match. Every team needs its big players on big occasions. Big match means big name. The Champions Trophy cannot be bigger than the semi -finals and Williamson is a player of big matches, he will understand the vastness of his role. I will not be surprised if he completes his work.
Williamson’s campaign is mixed, struggling for the form in the earlier matches but found some flow against India with an innings of 81 runs in the final group-stage match. Ponting believes that if New Zealand is to be reversed, Williamson will have to lead from further.
Williamson remains an important player for Black Caps, but Ponting suggested that South Africa’s powerful batting lineup- which includes Ryan Ryan Ryyan Ricelton, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klassen- can cause serious problems.
Ponting warned, ‘South Africa bats deeply like India. With world -class all -rounders like Marco Jenson and players like Bavuma, Markram, Miller and Klassen, their middle order is incredibly strong. If Klassen descends to bat after two or three wickets of South Africa around 30 overs, they can prove to be really dangerous.
Klassen, who has long been considered one of the world’s best T20 batsmen, may have a game-chanter in the 50-over format, but Ponting said that his fight against New Zealand’s chief spinner Mitchell St. can be decisive. He said, ‘Klassen is fantastic against spin, but Santner is a smart spinner of left hand. I think they can start with spin against them. Whoever wins this fight can decide the outcome of the match.
Ponting also told two matches that can shape the semi -finals. The first is associated with South Africa’s in-form opener Ryan Ricelton, who has given a concrete start to his team, and New Zealand’s lead fast bowler Matt Henry, who performed well with the ball. Ponting said, “Ricelton has performed brilliantly, he has scored a big century a few matches first. On the other hand, Henry has performed brilliantly for New Zealand, he has taken five wickets. The match will be really interesting.”
The second important match is between Heinrich Klassen and Mitchell Santner in the middle overs. Klassen is known for his aggressive game against spin and Santner’s reputation is to keep things tight, Ponting believes that whoever wins this battle can turn the match in favor of his team.
One aspect of New Zealand’s approach that surprised Ponting was their frequent changes in the top order. Black Caps started the tournament as an opener with Will Young and Devon Conway, but included Rachin Ravindra against India in their final group-stage match.
He suggested, ‘I was a little surprised by those changes. Over the years, both Conway and Young are consistently performing well. Will Young perform well, but I would prefer to bring the Conway back to the top to maintain the left-right combination.
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