Five battles which could swing the semi

Dale Steyn v Brendon McCullum

The New Zealand captain easily saw off the challenge of Mitchell Johnson when the pair locked horns at Eden Park a month ago. An exciting shot-maker, McCullum’s batting matches the attacking intent he shows with his captaincy. Steyn is bubbling slowly, and is yet to deliver a tournament-defining spell. He did bowl fast in the quarter-final, setting the tone for the rest of the attack. He knows McCullum will be after him, which will get the competitive juices flowing.

Advantage: McCullum (just)

Ross Taylor v Imran Tahir

All the talk about New Zealand’s batting has surrounded Guptill, McCullum and Williamson and yet, Taylor, their best batsman, is merely scratching around. It won’t continue like that; Taylor is far too good a player to go through this competition anonymously. On the opposite end of the scale is Tahir, pictured above, whose exuberant celebrations are making him very popular – he’s celebrated 15 times, so is using up a lot of energy. Taylor’s an excellent player of spin, but will be wary of Tahir’s many tricks.

Advantage: Tahir

AB de Villiers v Adam Milne

Milne is given a licence to bowl as fast as possible. McCullum does not try to rein him in. And Milne obeys his captain – it was a 149.1 km/h bullet that knocked down Chris Gayle on Saturday, to all intents and purposes finishing that match as a contest. For all the funky stroke-play, De Villiers is a more patient player than the West Indies opener and will look to knock Milne around before swinging hard, or glancing over slip, or scooping over fine leg, or....

Advantage: De Villiers

Hashim Amla v Trent Boult

A lot like his good mate Steyn, Amla is yet to play a definitive role in this tournament. He’s got a 50 and a career best score – against Ireland – but otherwise his contribution with the bat has been minimal for someone of his usual output. And he won’t find it easy against the World Cup’s leading wicket-taker. If you hadn’t heard about Trent Boult before this tournament, you won’t be forgetting him once it’s over. Pace and swing from a left-armer who McCullum doesn’t mind keeping on for long first spells.

Advantage: Boult

SA expectation v NZ expectation

Neither team has made it to a World Cup final. They’ve both known semi-final heartache; New Zealand at Eden Park in 1992, South Africa at the SCG that same year and then in 1999 at Edgbaston. There’s enormous pressure on both teams – New Zealand at home, playing brilliantly – South Africa finding their best form. If both concentrate sufficiently on their cricket, and both play their best, AB de Villiers’ team, should win, just.