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New Zealand v South Africa – 3rd T20I – Toss report

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New Zealand v South Africa – 3rd T20I – Toss report
After a slight rain delay, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa, in the third and deciding Twenty20 International, being played at Eden Park, Auckland, today on February 22.
Skipper Brendon McCullum, whose decision to field first is motivated partly by the threat of rain, has made some minor changes to the Kiwi line-up.
Kyle Mills, who has fallen ill (and was unable to take any wickets in the first two matches of the series), is being replaced by medium-pacer Michael Bates, while the hard-hitting Jesse Ryder will be making a comeback to the international squad, and batting
in the middle-order, replacing Colin de Grandhomme. The Black Caps’ batting order  otherwise remains unchanged.
The South African's have made one change to the team that defeated the hosts in the second match on February 19, with pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe, making way for Robin Peterson, the all-rounder who will be teaming up with Johan Botha in the spin department. 
Despite his impressive hat-trick in the practice-game against Canterbury, the 27-year-old Tsotsobe was unable to take any wickets in the first two games of the series, prompting the management to exclude him from the final game.
Richard Levi, who scored a spectacular century in the last match, and veteran batsman Hashim Amla, will be opening the innings. Medium fast-bowler Wayne Parnell, who batted at No. 3 in the last match, and scored a meagre 4 before being stumped
by Brendon McCullum, is expected to come at his customary number 9 position, with Jean-Paul Duminy and Justin Ontong being bumped up a spot each.
Both teams face the enormous pressure of a decider today, and all eyes will be on batsmen Martin Guptill (NZ), and Richard Levi (SA), both of whom have played match-winning knocks in this series so far.
The rain has resulted in a fairly damp pitch, which McCullum has admitted may prove difficult for his fielders. The threat of further rain looms as the teams take to the field.
New Zealand playing XI:
RJ Nicol, MJ Guptill, BB McCullum (capt, wk), KS Williamson, JEC Franklin, JD Ryder, NL McCullum, DAJ Bracewell, MD Bates, RM Hira, TG Southee
South Africa playing XI:
RE Levi, HM Amla, AB de Villiers (capt, wk), JP Duminy, JL Ontong, M de Lange, JA Morkel, J Botha, WD Parnell, M Morkel, RJ Peterson

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