The semi-finals of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup will get underway on Wednesday with the host nation India going head-to-head against the Black Caps of New Zealand in Mumbai.

India are the overwhelming favourites to win the World Cup for a third time after going through the pool stage unbeaten, and in each game, it was a convincing victory.

By contrast, the Black Caps, who reached the finals in Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and in England in 2019, have had an up and down campaign, and they snuck into the semi-finals.

They however manage to win when it absolutely counted and they will take that confidence into the game against the two-time champions.

Rachin Ravindra - Cricinfo

The Black Caps batter, Rachin Ravindra, who has been in sensational form with the bat and is the third highest run-scorer behind Virat Kohli and Quentin de Kock, said the nature of the World Cup gives them confidence going into the semi-final.

“That's the beauty of World Cup cricket - there's highs and lows, you're always going to win some and you're always going to lose some,” said New Zealand's star batter.

“That's the beauty of it. You take it in your stride, stick to what you do and you stay level through it all. That's what's been fun about it - the challenges of playing against each and every team in such a competitive tournament.

“Every game is a challenge and that's what we've been loving so far.”

This semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will get underway on Wednesday at 10:30.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the subcontinent, South Africa and the five-time World Champions, Australia are preparing for their semi-final in Kolkata.

It will be just the third time these two teams meet in the semi-finals, but Australia have enjoyed the dominance over South Africa in the knockout stage.

When Australia beat the Proteas in the 1999 and 2007 semi-finals, they went on to win the World Cup on both occasions.

Mitchell Starc - Cricinfo

The Australian camp has received some welcome news in that the left-arm seamer, Mitchell Starc, is fit to play against South Africa.

Starc said they expect a good challenge against the Proteas.

“Both teams have kept a close eye on each other and from a few games back we knew we were probably going to face each other in the semi-finals,” said Starc.

“South Africa certainly have a potent attack and it's two teams that have played against each other a lot in the last 10 weeks.

“I have no doubt that the conditions are going to be very different to Lucknow as well.

“All factors will come into play and we will see how we are placed, hopefully it will be on the good end on Thursday night.”

This semi-final that will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens will get underway at 10:30 on Thursday morning.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport