To bat or not to bat?

Stephen Fleming and Graeme Smith will face a dilemma if they win the toss when New Zealand and South Africa meet in their crucial Super Eights match in Grenada on Saturday, reported AFP. Both captains will be tempted to send their opponents in to take advantage of expected early life in the pitch but both their tactics backfired spectacularly after calling correctly in recent matches.

South Africa hammered 356 for 4 when they were sent in by West Indies on Tuesday while New Zealand made a disastrous start after Fleming decided to bat against Sri Lanka on Thursday, going on to lose by six wickets. Both of South Africa's defeats in the tournament came after Smith chose to field first. They lost by 83 runs against Australia during the group stage and suffered a shock defeat against Bangladesh on April 7.

The pitch for the New Zealand-Sri Lanka match was slower and drier than it was when South Africa played two days earlier, adding to the uncertainty for the captains.