New Zealand v South Africa - South Africa tour of New Zealand (3rd Test) – New Zealand batsmen to watch out for
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, and with the Test score currently 1-0 (with the first match having been drawn owing to rain), the hosts will be looking to end on a winning note, when they take on the Proteas
in the last Test of the 3-match series, scheduled from March 23rd to March 27 at the Basin Reserve in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864.
Following their brilliant home successes against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 earlier this year, during which they did not allow their opponents to claim a single victory, the Kiwi team went into a downward spiral against South Africa, losing the T20 series 1-2 and the ODIs
0-3.
The defeats owed largely to the failing batting order. Opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RJ-Nicol-c2331 was particularly disappointing – after a series of impressive outings against the Rhodesians, he crumbled in the face of the South African visitors.
To freshen up the batting order, New Zealand have dropped Nicol, and employed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dean-Brownlie-c1349, who missed the previous two Tests owing to a fractured finger and will now be featuring
at number six in the batting line-up. With the new changes in place, the Kiwi batting order has the potential to salvage their pride by having the final say in the last match.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129
Featuring at number 3 on the Kiwi batting line-up, Brendon McCullum’s consistency throughout the series against South Africa stands in stark contrast to the erratic batting performances of many of his teammates. With scores such as 56, 85, and 47 in the
ODIs, and 48, 58, and 61 in the Test series, he is currently New Zealand’s safest bet.
His 48 in the first Test was the highest score in the Black Caps’ first innings, and his 82-run partnership with captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LRPL-Taylor-c1849 in the second innings enabled the team to rebuild before rain came to their rescue. Similarly, his lone hand of 61 was the
only bright spot for the team in the second Test.
McCullum currently occupies the second spot, with 172 runs at an average of 57.33, in the leading run getters of the series. His outings in the only Test against Zimbabwe were also remarkable, with the wicketkeeper batsman making an 83-run contribution.
At a time when the batting order lacks depth and consistency, the team will be depending on the 30-year-old to put in an another inspiring performance.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Guptill-c1980
Martin Guptill, who made a 122-run debut against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in 2009 came into sharp focus in New Zealand’s current season following his powerful performances in the series against Zimbabwe. The hard-hitting batsman registered consecutive scores of 70,
77, 85, and an unbeaten 91 during the ODIs and T20s.
However, after a promising start in the series against the South Africans, with totals such as 78 and 58 in the limited-overs leg, the belligerent batsman dwindled down to scores like 16, 6, 22, and 1 in the previous two Test matches. Despite this, keeping
his past record in mind, the 25-year-old is likely to come out fighting in the last game, and attempt to recapture some of the previous glory.
Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915
New Zealand’s skipper was the highest scorer for his side in the only Test against Zimbabwe, with 122 before he retired hurt, owing to a calf injury – keeping him out from the limited -overs leg against the Proteas. However, he made a promising comeback
in the current Test series, with scores like 44, 48, and 44.
Taylor is currently at 4th place on the Test series records for most runs, with 153 at an average of 51.00 to his name. With the burden of responsibility heavy on the captain’s shoulders, the added pressure is sure to provide him the momentum
he needs to propel the team to a last, face-saving victory.
Tags: