NZ v SA 1st ODI, Preview: Hosts seek to draw first blood after humiliating defeat in T20I

In the recent times, team New Zealand have been a strong unit at home. They had won every match of this summer in home conditions prior to the one-off T20I against South Africa. Not only did the Proteas break their winning spree, but also they did it in a humiliating way. The action now moves to the 5-match ODI series. The series is an important one considering the bigger picture of it. The matches would well serve as a preparatory ground for the Champions Trophy that is scheduled to be played this year. Both teams have only a handful of matches left leading to the tournament.

Going into the game, the visitors will take pride given the way they completed outplayed the Kiwis in the T20I. For the hosts, the only silver lining from that match was Trent Boult’s bowling figures where he gave just 8 runs in his 4 overs. However, the formats will change and so will the game plans. Both teams have been in top form in ODI cricket and have won their last 5 ODIs respectively. While New Zealand beat Bangladesh and Australia, the South Africans come into the tour riding on a 5-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka at home.

Team News

New Zealand

New Zealand have a little to ponder about going into the game. Trent Boult looks is a good form and that will be a positive for them. The eyes will be on middle-order batsman Ross Taylor. The Kiwis had sprung a surprise by not picking him up in the T20I lineup recently.

However, he is most likely to come back in the lineup. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson would be the other two pacers in addition to Boult. Matt Henry might miss out on a place to Ferguson in the game. Luke Ronchi is fit again and is likely to take the gloves in the match.

The unavailability of Martin Guptill sees Dean Brownlie get another go in this series. All-rounder James Neesham and Neil Broom look set in their middle order duties and are likely to bat at number 5 and 6 respectively.

South Africa

One of the key components of the South African bowling lineup, Kagiso Rabada, did not play the one-off T20 match. He was given the much-needed rest after a busy home schedule against Sri Lanka. With the ODI series coming up, Rabada is all set to return in the playing eleven for the Proteas.

David Miller, who had injured his finger during the Sri Lanka ODI series, is still not hundred per cent fit. He is, therefore, likely to miss out from the game. Farhaan Behardien will be the man replacing the injured southpaw. Barring these, the Proteas will definitely field the same side that played in the T20I, unless there is a last moment injury scare.

Chris Morris at number 7 looks like a threatening and handy prospect. He will surely come into play with the bat in case the star-studded batting line up fails. Hashim Amla returned to good form with a fifty recently and that sets up the tone for the Africans in the series.

Probable XI:

New Zealand

Tom Latham, Dean Brownlie, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Neil Broom, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.

South Africa

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (C), JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir.

Match Facts:

Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

Weather: Early showers

Time: 1400 (local), 0100 (GMT), 0630 (IST)

StAttack:

1. South Africa have won their last 11 ODIs. Their longest winning streak in ODIs is 12. If they win this match, they will equal their longest streak that was last attained in 2005.

2. New Zealand have a competent home record in the ODIs since the 2015 World Cup. They have registered wins in 12 out of the 14 matches played since then.

3. Both teams have never faced each other in a complete match at the venue in Hamilton. The last time they played at the Seddon Park, the match was washed out.

4. Ross Taylor has 5949 runs to his name in ODI cricket. He needs 51 more runs to reach 6000 landmark. Only three other Kiwi batsmen have reached the landmark – Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, and Brendon McCullum.