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T20 World Cup semi-finals line-up: Proteas aim to extend unbeaten streak against New Zealand

The Proteas are firing on all cylinders as they prepare for a semi-final showdown.

The Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup is over and now all that remains are the knockout games, reports The Citizen.

Two semi-finals will be played this week, followed by the final on Sunday.

Semi-finals line-up

In the first semi-final in Kolkata on Wednesday, South Africa will meet New Zealand at 15:30.

South Africa finished top of Group D in pool action with wins against Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand, who were runners-up in the group, and the United Arab Emirates.

In Super Eight play they beat India, West Indies and Zimbabwe to be the only unbeaten side at the tournament.

New Zealand finished as runners-up in their Super Eight group.

In the second semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday, India, who are the hosts and defending champions from two years ago, will meet England at 15:30.

India finished top of Group A in pool play with four wins, while England were runners-up in Group C.

In Super Eight action, India finished as runners-up in Group 1 and thus face the winners of Group 2, England.

The final will be in Ahmedabad on Sunday, at 15:30.

Here are some stats of the two semi-finalists:

SA captain Aiden Markram is the third highest run-scorer so far, with 268 runs at an average of 53.60. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav is his team’s best batter, in fifth overall, with 231 runs at 38.50.

South Africa’s best bowler up to now has been Lungi Ngidi, who’s taken 12 wickets with an economy rate of 6.87 to be third, while Corbin Bosch with 11 wickets at economy of 6.78 and Marco Jansen, with 11 wickets at economy of 9.28, are joint fifth.

India’s best bowler so far has been Varun Chakaravarthy, with 12 wickets at 7.67 economy, to be tied with Ngidi.

Fixtures:

South Africa vs New Zealand Wednesday 15:30 (Kolkata)

England vs India Thursday 15:30 (Mumbai)

Final on Sunday in Ahmedabad at 15:30.

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Jacques van der Westhuyzen

Jacques manages the daily sports offering for online and print at The Citizen. He previously worked as a senior rugby and golf writer for The Star and Independent Media’s weekend print and online publications. He has travelled extensively with the Springboks, touring to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina to cover tours and Test matches. He has also covered several World Sevens Series tournaments, including in Hong Kong. Jacques has covered well over 100 Test matches and numerous other rugby encounters across South Africa. He has also covered a number of the biggest golfing tournaments held in South Africa as well as the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He is passionate about all things sport, with athletics at the top of his great sporting loves. He has 25 years’ experience in mainstream media, as a writer, sub-editor and editor. He is a former recipient of a Sasol Springbok rugby writing award. If you give him a gap, he’ll talk all day about running, on the road and on trails. He’s run numerous marathons and also completed the famous Comrades ultra marathon in KZN. When he’s not running, you might find him on the golf course or squash court, two other favourites past-times.

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