SA v NZ series preview: Confident New Zealand take on a hungry South Africa

SA v NZ series preview: Confident New Zealand take on a hungry South Africa: The Black Caps take on a mighty looking Proteas side in a two match T2O series and a three match ODI series. The tour kicks off from 14th August. The tour promises to thrill devout cricket fans into pieces and engross them completely with the cricket of the highest quality and entertainment of the highest level. In this year’s world cup, South Africa lost out on a final berth against New Zealand so they would be raring to avenge the loss that hit them so hard while New Zealand will look to outclass their stern opposition this time as well.

New Zealand:

New Zealand have the same squad for both T20I as well as the ODI’s this series. They for sure will be missing the expertise services of the swashbuckling Brendon McCullum who has been rested for the tour, but the new skipper Kane Williamson and his team would be hoping to make a statement this time around and give their best to vanquish the daunting Proteas. Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson will open the batting for the Kiwis.

The latest double centurion of the limited overs format, Guptill has established himself as one of the future stars in rising, and his role will be absolutely pivotal in determining the fate of his side this series. Kane Williamson is arguably one of the best in business right now in all forms of the game and as usual he will have to shoulder the responsibility of getting plentiful runs for his side.

Grant Elliot has been producing some top notch performances for his side over the years. He is the team’s mainstay in the middle order. Nathan McCullum and Luke Ronchi will be expected to chip in with some valuable contribution. The bowling department looks solid as well with the express fast Matt Henry and the tricky Mitchell McClenaghan in the ranks. These two pace spearheads will test the South African’s for sure. Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell are the other two exciting prospects in this series.

Recent Form (ODI): W W L L L W W L L W

South Africa:

As far as the Proteas are concerned, the Superman AB de Villiers will make a return to the side. That should mightily boost the morale of the star studded team. The squads for T20I as well as the ODIs is pretty much the same except for a couple of changes in the bowling department. In the T20Is they have the most ominous batting line up to brandish, a line up that can thrash and smite any bowling attack with effortless ease. Steyn and Imran Tahir are included as the main bowlers in the ODI series, but they miss the cut in the T20Is.

Dale Steyn with his fiery pace and Imran Tahir with his craft and guile are easily two of the most easily ensnaring bowlers currently. Morne Morkel finds his name in the T20 squad. Admitted by Steve Smith as the toughest bowler to face, he will surely threaten the Kiwi batsmen and try to unsettle and unnerve them with his pace and bounce. However he fails to make the cut for the ODI series. Hashim Amla, the epitome of consistency will as usual have to carry the hopes of his side, opening the batting. Faf du Plessis will be expected to justify his credentials. JP Duminy and David Miller are two other prominent batters of the side of whom a lot is expected.

Recent Form (ODI): L L W L W W L W W L

Head to Head:

Overall in ODIs:

Matches played: 62,

Won by NZ-21,

Won by SA-36,

NR-5.

Series results:

Series/Tournament Season Winner Margin

• ICC Knock Out (in Kenya) 2000/01 – New Zealand.
• New Zealand in South Africa ODI Series 2000/01 – South Africa 5-0 (6).
• VB Series (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa in Australia) 2001/02 – South Africa.
• ICC Champions Trophy (in Sri Lanka) 2002/03 – shared.
• ICC World Cup (in Kenya/South Africa/Zimbabwe) 2002/03 – Australia.
• South Africa in New Zealand ODI Series 2003/04 – New Zealand 5-1 (6).
• ICC Champions Trophy (in England) 2004 West Indies
  New Zealand in South Africa ODI Series 2005/06 – South Africa 4-0 (5).
• ICC Champions Trophy (in India) 2006/07 – Australia.
• ICC World Cup (in West Indies) 2006/07 – Australia.
• New Zealand in South Africa ODI Series 2007/08 – South Africa 2-1 (3).
• ICC Champions Trophy (in South Africa) 2009/10 – Australia.
• ICC Cricket World Cup (in Bangladesh/India/Sri Lanka) 2010/11 – India.
• South Africa in New Zealand ODI Series 2011/12 – South Africa 3-0 (3).
• New Zealand in South Africa ODI Series 2012/13 – New Zealand 2-1 (3).
• ICC Champions Trophy (in England) 2013 – India.
• South Africa in New Zealand ODI Series 2014/15 – South Africa 2-0 (3).

Most runs in SA-NZ contests (ODI):

Most wickets in SA-NZ contests (ODI):

(All Stats Updated Till 13th August, 2015)