http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 vs South Africa – 1st ODI – Match Preview
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864 on February 25.
The South Africans welcome several experienced players back to the line-up, among them being Test skipper, Graeme http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Richard-Levi-c2315.
The 24-year-old’s match-winning 117 knock in the second T20 of the series is a tough act to follow – however, Smith seems more than up for it after returning to form in the last two ODIs of the home series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 earlier in the year, which included a century in the final bout.
In addition to the left-hander, the Proteas will also be banking on the services of the formidable http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JA-Morkel-c1613 will be fighting it out for the other spot in the lower order.
The last heavyweight making a return to the squad is the intimidating pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RJ-Peterson-c2332 or Johan Botha will be featuring in the playing XI.
After defeating the host team in the T20 series, the tourists will be looking to prove themselves in the 50-over format, particularly after suffering an unlikely exit from the World Cup 2011 ( in the quarter-final) at the hands of the Black Caps.
The Kiwi team has just as much, if not more to prove. The T20 series marked their first defeat on home soil after their clean sweep against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129’s squad will be looking to regain their (briefly) lost glory.
In addition, the handful of new players in the squad (including Michael Bates, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Ellis-c1037 and Tarun Nethula) will get a precious opportunity to gain some exposure against a relatively experienced opponent, after their triumphs against the Rhodesians.
The Kiwi batting order looks intimidating considering the form of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KS-Williamson-c1813.
The fearless http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JEC-Franklin-c1684 may be forced to sit out the game. If deemed unfit, Tom Latham may find himself temporarily back in the playing XI at the number 6 position.
As far as the bowling attack is concerned, there is expected to be some competition between spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Bates-c1947.
The pitch at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington is expected to be batsman friendly, and also served as the venue for the first T20I of the ongoing tour, where the host team triumphed by 6 wickets.
South Africa playing XI (probable):
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LL-Tsotsobe-c1842
New Zealand playing XI (probable):
Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Brendon McCullum (captain & wicketkeeper), Kane Williamson, Jesse Ryder, James Franklin/Tom Latham http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TG-Southee-c2659, Tarun Nethula/Andy McKay, Kyle Mills/Michael Bates
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