Five talking points ahead of India vs New Zealand CWC19 first Semi-Final

July 9 (CRICKETNMORE) - It took until the final overs of the final group game but eventually confirmation came through that it would be India and New Zealand facing off in the first World Cup semi-fin

Battle of the Bs

Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult are two of the premier white-ball bowlers in world cricket.

Both carry the chief attacking threat for their side with ball in hand and both have the versatility required to influence proceedings in all three powerplays.

Between them they have taken 32 wickets at this World Cup, Bumrah has 17 and Boult has 15, but just as impressive is how economical they are.

Both are going at under five an over and sit in the top ten for this World Cup in terms of economy rate.

But despite their versatility, they are masters of slightly different arts.

Boult has made his name as a new-ball bowler, indeed in between the last two World Cups no one took more wickets in the first powerplay than the Kiwi left-armer.

While Bumrah is the death specialist, sauntering to the crease and yet then producing devastating yorkers that former Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori described as ‘nigh-on unplayable’ earlier this week.

Lockie Ferguson is back fit for New Zealand and Mohammed Shami had some real joy against the Black Caps earlier this year, but make no mistake about it - Boult v Bumrah is the marquee match-up.

Battling batters

Four years ago Martin Guptill was the top run-scorer at the World Cup, firing the Black Caps to within touching distance of their first-ever title.

But in 2019, the opener has struggled to find his best form after an impressive half-century in their tournament opener.

Alongside him at the top of the order Colin Munro and then Henry Nicholls are still waiting for big knocks while Ross Taylor is averaging 37 but has only two half-centuries to his name so far.

Kane Williamson’s brilliance is pretty well-established at this point, but if the Black Caps are to post a serious score and pass 300 for the first time this World Cup – then the skipper is going to need some help.

Tom Latham showed signs his best form was returning in Durham and all-rounders Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham have both played crucial innings already this tournament.

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ICC