Question:

New Zealand v South Africa – 1st Test – Match Preview

by | earlier

New Zealand v South Africa – 1st Test – Match Preview
South Africa’s tour of New Zealand has boiled down to the final fixtures between the two teams – the 3-match Test series scheduled to kick off tomorrow, on March 7, at the University Oval in Dunedin.
The visitors are riding high after their success in the T20 series (which they won 2-1) and the ODIs (in which they whitewashed the visitors 3-0) – while their confidence will give them a major edge, the Kiwis will be desperate to win at least one series
on home ground.
The top spot on the ICC Test team rankings awaits the Proteas should they manage to whitewash the hosts in the upcoming series. However, the Kiwis have been pushed into a corner by their opponents, and after begin repeatedly denied a victory, are sure to
strike with a vengeance. Both teams won the last Test matches they played – South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in January this year, while the hosts defeated Zimbabwe.
However, it was the 7-run victory against Australia last year in December, which could be reflected upon as a source of inspiration by underperforming Kiwi contingent.
South Africa will be led by Test captain Graeme Smith, who will be opening the batting with Alviro Petersen, the right-hander who opened against Sri Lanka in the Test earlier this year, and scored an impressive 109. The top order looks solid, with veterans
like Hashim Amla, and Jacques Kallis. Smith is dealing with soreness in his arm, while Kallis has been troubled by back spasms recently, but both are expected to play on Wednesday.
Jacques Rudolph is being given a second chance in international cricket and will be coming in at number 6, followed by Mark Boucher and Vernon Philander, whose outstanding Test debut earned him a direct induction into the squad.
The Proteas bowling attack will be spearheaded by Dale Steyn (who remained mediocre throughout the ODI series) and Morne Morkel, who claimed 11 wickets in 5 innings during the limited-overs leg of the tour. Legspinner Imran Tahir has been given a chance
to cement his place in the international squad, and add to his tally of 14 Test wickets. Philander, with an average of 13.23, will also prove an asset to the team.
Meanwhile the Kiwi innings will be opened by debutant Rob Nicol, and Martin Guptill, whose batting prowess powered his team to victory countless times against Zimbabwe.  Brendon McCullum will be coming in at number 3, while Kane Williamson will be joining
captain Ross Taylor in the middle order, coming in after Jesse Ryder was dropped from the squad. Wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk is another debutant, who has been brought in to replace the injured BJ Watling. Former skipper and all-rounder Daniel Vettori is also
expected to make a return to the squad.
In order to tackle the formidable Proteas batting line-up, the Black Caps will be relying  heavily on pace, with veteran bowler Chris Martin, along with Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee forming the core of the bowling attack. The young Bracewell
will be getting a chance to put the unpleasantness of his recent heavily publicized drinking spree with Jesse Ryder behind him, and bring the focus back to his bowling.
The weather at Dunedin is predicted to be overcast, with a chance of wind and rain, which might prompt the toss-winning captain to opt for fielding. However, the brown pitch is likely to get slower as the game progresses, making batting an ideal choice for
whichever team wins the toss.
South Africa playing XI:
Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher (wicketkeeper), Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
New Zealand playing XI:
Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor (captain), Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori, Kruger van Wyk (wicketkeeper), Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Chris Martin