New Zealand v South Africa – 2nd Test – Match Preview
After a drawn affair in the first Test, owing to rain on the last day, South Africa and New Zealand will both be looking to turn the series around in their favour as the second Test of the 3-match series kicks off tomorrow, on March 15, at Seddon Park in
Hamilton.
The competitive nature of the opening game suggested that both teams remain evenly matched at this point in the series – the visitors needed 8 wickets to win, while New Zealand required 264 runs to secure a victory before rain interrupted, in what would
have been, an enthralling final day of play.
In addition to performance, both teams have equally powerful incentives. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 off the top spot on the Test team rankings; however, the prospect of winning a series away from home is obviously tempting. On the other
hand, the Kiwis, after losing the limited-overs leg on home grounds, will be keen to prove themselves in the extended–overs format.
Judging by their recent performances, the Proteas batting order looks fairly solid. While the first innings resulted in a handful of half-centuries, with skipper Graeme http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jacques-Rudolph-c1619 (52) remaining the top scorers, three
spectacular centuries followed, courtesy Smith (115), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692 (113), and Rudolph (105) - propelling the team to a total of 435 in the second innings.
In light of this, the skipper looks to be a challenge for the Kiwi bowlers, as do veterans Amla and Kallis. Rudolph, after being given a second chance in the national squad, has proven his worth, and will be eager to add more to his tally of runs. Owing
to an ankle sprain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742 is likely to replace him.
With a grassy pitch expected at Hamilton, the bowling attack is expected to be spearheaded by the pacers. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409 (2-79) proved to be fairly deadly in the first innings of the previous Test, and the Proteas will be relying on
them to eliminate the threat of the Kiwi batting order. In view of this, a glaring omission from the line-up is that of fiery young pacer Marchant de Lange, who is expected to miss out with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir taking up the fourth bowler's spot.
The New Zealand batting order boasts the formidable http://www.senore.com/Cricket/John-Geoffrey-Wright-c67883 observes he is “pretty comfortable.” His 48 was the highest score in his side’s first innings in the previous
Test, and his 82-run partnership with captain Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RJ-Nicol-c2331, despite a disappointing Test debut,
still remains a part of the playing XI.
Medium pacer Chris Martin features as the most prominent bowler in the Kiwi arsenal. After his 4 for 56 in the last Test, he is expected to team up with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TG-Southee-c2659 dropped for the second
Test, either http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mark-Gillespie-c1904 or Brent Arnel will be brought in as replacements.
The pitch looks grassy, and is likely to favour the bowlers early in the day, in addition to being batsmen-friendly for the rest of the match.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 playing XI (probable):
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Martin-c1295
South Africa playing XI (probable):
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528, Imran Tahir
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