Preparing for the business end

Match facts

Tuesday, June 9
Start time 17.30 local (16.30 GMT)

Big Picture

While England and Australia suffered early shocks, there have been no such problems for South Africa and New Zealand. South Africa thumped Scotland by 130 runs on Sunday and New Zealand also wiped them aside, overcoming a slight scare when they gave up 89 runs in seven overs during Saturday's rain-reduced contest at The Oval.

Both teams have already qualified for the next phase so this contest is reduced to a Super Eight warm-up, with no points being carried through from the group stage. New Zealand's bowlers will use the contest to fine-tune following their heavy punishment in the opening game while the batsmen on both sides will attempt to maintain their gargantuan hitting.

The way de Villiers, Kallis, Morkel, Taylor, McCullum and Ryder struck the ball in their first outings was frightening. South Africa's display was superior and was probably the most impressive of the tournament so far, but they know they will have to repeat it against major sides if they are to end their drought at global events.

T20 international form guide (last game first)

South Africa WWWLL
New Zealand WWWLW

Watch out for...

In a batting order full of fear for bowlers, Albie Morkel strides out with the job of extending the pain. He took only 11 balls to launch 24 runs against Scotland and has proved the consistency of his power. Australia were tormented by his blade during the southern hemisphere summer - and he can bowl as well.

Brendon McCullum is the global star at the top for New Zealand, but Jesse Ryder offers the perfect support. Being a left-hander, Ryder can take advantage of the line from bowlers used to aiming at McCullum, and he is quick to benefit from any lapse. Sometimes his shots are effortless; others are as fierce as they look. If this pair fires over the next week it can land New Zealand a spot in the final.

Team news

The captain Daniel Vettori is likely to miss his second match in a row with an injury to his bowling arm, especially as this game will have no bearing on what happens in the Super Eights. Kyle Mills is bowling again following a back strain picked up during his non-playing stint in the IPL and could be available.

New Zealand squad Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan (wk), Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.

South Africa will be torn slightly between giving their fringe squad members, such as Robin Peterson and Justin Ontong, a game or continuing with their first-choice line-up. It was hard to fault any of their players in the demolition of Scotland.

South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Yusuf Abdulla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe.

Pitch and conditions

This is the tournament's return to Lord's following England's defeat to the Netherlands on the opening day. On that occasion run-scoring wasn't easy in the greasy conditions, which could be repeated with rain predicted on Tuesday.

Stats and Trivia

• Jacob Oram's career strike-rate of 155.95 is the highest for New Zealand and places him 12th on the game's all-time list. Albie Morkel leads South Africa with a mark of 143.92 sitting him in 24th
• South Africa's 211 for 5 against Scotland was the fifth-highest total in Twenty20 internationals
• In the three matches between the teams, South Africa won twice in 2007 and lost in 2005

Quotes

"We've played against New Zealand enough to know they are tough competitors, and on their day they can challenge and beat anybody. We will respect them as we would any opponent."
Graeme Smith

"They're probably the tournament favourite at the moment. Theoretically our game against South Africa is a dead rubber but Twenty20 is all about momentum."
Ross Taylor

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