New Zealand v South Africa – 3rd Test – Match Preview
After a resounding win by South Africa in the second Test match, the prospect of a series victory is out of New Zealand’s hands, but they will be looking to even the score 1-1 in the final match of the series at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on March 23.
The Kiwis have had a dismal home series against the Proteas, which has included a 1-2 loss in the T20Is, and a 0-3 whitewash in the ODI series. With the first Test having culminated in a draw owing to rain, and the second Test ending in a shocking defeat,
the Black Caps will be looking to salvage some pride on home ground by securing a last win against the belligerent visitors.
Prominent among the reasons for their latest defeat is the unstable batting order, and the Kiwis have attempted to remedy that with the inclusion of Daniel Flynn in place of the struggling Rob Nicol. Despite his superb form during the series, against Zimbabwe
earlier this year, the 28-year-old Nicol seems to have fallen into a miserable batting slump of late, registering scores such as 6, 19, 2 and 1 in the first two matches of the Test series. Flynn, on the other hand, has been having a remarkable run in the domestic
circuit – the left-hander, who last played for the national squad more than two years ago (in a home series against Pakistan in 2009), recently scored centuries (113, 136, 123) in his past three games for Northern District.
The 26-year-old’s performances have prompted selectors to appoint him as an opener alongside Martin Guptill. Guptill performed brilliantly against the Rhodesians, and went onto score 7 consecutive half-centuries. He however, failed dismally against a stronger
bowling unit, and registered uninspiring scores such as 16, 6, 22, and 1 during the first two Tests. A last chance to make a comeback can prove to be a powerful impetus for the hard-hitter.
To further bolster the batting order, Dean Brownlie, who remained the top scorer earlier this summer during the Kiwis tour of Australia, has also been included in the 14-man squad as an extra batsman. The right-hander missed the first two matches owing to
a broken finger, and is likely to come in as the number 6 batsman. Brendon McCullum once again features at number three, with Kane Williamson retaining the number 5 spot – both batsmen were the only ones to score half-centuries in the previous Test, and will
be looking to add to that tally.
The Kiwi bowling attack will be playing minus pacer Brent Arnel, who has been dropped owing to poor form, having failed to take any wickets during the previous Test. The brilliant Mark Gillespie, who took 5 for 59 in the second Test, is expected to trouble
the Proteas once again as is veteran Chris Martin. The attack relies heavily on pace, and Tarun Nethula features as the only spinner among a bevy of fast bowlers.
In comparison, the Proteas have a fairly strong line-up, which has already led the team to a number of victories throughout the tour – for this reason, changes in the playing XI are unlikely. The batting order features veterans like Hashim Amla, Jacques
Kallis, and Graeme Smith, in addition to AB de Villiers, who top-scored in the last match with 83. Jacques Rudolph, after posting 52 and 105 on the board during the first Test, managed just 1 in the second match, and will be eager to nullify it with another
impressive outing. Opener Alviro Petersen has been disappointing in the series so far, scoring 11, 25, 29, and 1 in the previous fixtures, and will need to up his game in order to be considered for the squad in the future.
The Proteas bowling attack features the formidable Vernon Philander, whose impressive 10-wicket haul in the last game earned him the Player of the Match award. Joining him is Dale Steyn, who chipped in with 5 wickets. Like the Kiwi bowling attack, the Proteas
have chosen to employ a single spinner, Imran Tahir, and will be looking to exploit the pace element which has proved effective on the New Zealand pitches so far.
There is a forecast for rain on March 23, which has already interrupted the first match of the series, and the temperature is expected to be roughly 15 to 20 degrees. The most recent Test match staged at the Basin Reserve was New Zealand against Pakistan
in January 2011, which ended in a draw. South Africa last played at this venue in 2004, and won by 6 wickets, owing to the performances of Jacques Rudolph (who scored an unbeaten 93) and Graeme Smith (not out at 125).
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