Graeme Smith vs. Martin Guptill: Player analysis – ICC World Cup 2011
New Zealand and South Africa will face each other in the quarter-final of International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011 on 25th March. This will be a tough test for both nations looking to clinch their first World Cup.
South Africa, out of their six group matches, have won five against the Netherlands, India, Ireland, Bangladesh and West Indies. While they have lost only one to England. With this win loss-ratio, the Proteas are at the top of group ‘B’ with ten points. On the other hand, New Zealand have won four matches against Kenya, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Canada, while losing two games to Australia and Sri Lanka. The Black Caps, with eight points, are in fourth place in their group.
Both teams have a variety of players in their squads including top pacers, spinners, and batsmen. Graeme Smith is one of the most talented players of the South African team and serves his team as captain and plays the role of top-order batsman. The player gives useful innings while playing in the opening spot and has the ability to anchor the innings. Smith has the ability to play nice shots in the slips and amasses runs with great ease. His prior experience of playing in two mega events is a big advantage for him. Smith is one of only six players in the world who have scored more than 5000 ODI runs as a captain.
Smith is expected to give productive innings if South Africa will bat second in the quarter-final. The opener has given better performances in chases rather than batting first. Smith while batting second, averages more than 47 runs and has been able to put up six centuries. When he bats first, he averages a meager 32.75 runs including two tons.
Before the ICC World cup 2011, Smith scored more than 4000 runs in wins at an average of 47.58 including seven centuries.
The ongoing tournament is the third showpiece event of Smith’s career, as earlier he has been part of the 2003 and 2007 campaigns. In 2003, he was a junior player and did not give a noticeable performance. However, he was a prominent figure in the 2007 edition. He took an appealing start, hitting four fifties in the first four matches. A former South African cricketer describes Smith as, "He has the ability to lead from the front and impose himself on the opposition."
The 30-year old has played 19 World Cup innings so far scoring 719 runs at an average of 39.94 including six fifties.
On the other side, Martin Guptill is also a prolific top-order batsman for the Black Caps, who plays well and has great technique. Comparaed to Smith, Guptill needs more consistency in his batting form. The 24-year-old has played six innings at this World Cup, scoring 222 runs at an average of 55.50 including two fifties.
The ICC World Cup 2011 is the first mega event of his career, where he has hit his highest score of unbeaten 86 runs against Zimbabwe in a winning cause at Ahmedabad on 4th March. Guptill performs well at home ODIs at an average of 46 including one century and four half centuries. Abroad, he lacks consistency and averages 26.31 including five half centuries. Former New Zealand fast bowler, Dann Morrison, describes Guptill as, "He hits the ball nice and straight and very much plays in the 'V'. He's been missing in action a bit lately, but in India the conditions tend to suit guys who play off the front foot, so he should score a lot of runs."
Both the teams are expected to play a nip and tuck competition. However, the Proteas are likely to take less pressure as they are leading their group with maximum points.
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