NZ v SA 2nd ODI, Preview: Hosts look to level series as Proteas aim perfect game

The first ODI between South Africa and New Zealand proved to be a closely contested game. Despite being interrupted by the rain, the Proteas eventually managed to eke out a close win riding on a calm knock by skipper AB de Villiers. On the other hand, the counter skipper Kane Williamson did not have the best of times facing the hostile bowling of Chris Morris. Now, the action moves to the Hagley Oval for the second match of the 5 match series.

Both teams have had good form in the recent past and it is only safe to conclude that the match is bound to be an even contested game. The key bowlers from both the sides recently made merry in the IPL auctions. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand’s Trent Boult hit million dollar deals. On the other hand, the numero uno bowler in ODI cricket, Imran Tahir, went unsold.

The teams would definitely try to keep the IPL riches and discussions aside and focus on the immediate need of the second ODI. The Kiwis had cleared their intention by taking the attack to Tahir in the previous game. It will, therefore, be interesting to see how the leggie responds back under pressure.

Team News:

New Zealand

The Kiwis have definitely been taken on the backfoot with two consecutive defeats across the two formats thus far. They will be keen on getting their act right. Kane Williamson’s struggle against Morris will be a concern and so would the form of Tom Latham be. When they last played at the venue, Latham had hit a timely 137 against the touring Bangladeshis.

However, his recent three innings in ODIs have yielded just 7 runs which includes two scores of ducks. Luke Ronchi might miss out on the game yet again and Tom Latham is likely to take the wicketkeeping gloves yet again. Ronchi’s omission could make way for an extra seamer in the lineup. Matt Henry is likely to be the beneficiary.

The conditions at the venue are seamer friendly and hence including Henry would make sense. However, the Kiwis might get tempted to play an extra spinner too. If that happens, Ish Sodhi will be the inclusion in the side.

South Africa

South Africa have been on a winning spree and they will look to continue the same. A win would give them a handy 2-0 lead in the series. The bowling of Chris Morris was the biggest positive for the visitors in the match.

The all round good show by Andile Phehlukwayo in the first ODI will give the Proteas a lot of confidence. Phehlukwayo is emerging as the finisher for them and that definitely is a good sign with the Champions Trophy approaching. David Miller passed the fitness Test. He was earlier injured during the home series against Sri Lanka. Despite having cleared the fitness test, it is unlikely that he will walk back in the playing eleven. The management might just want to give him an additional couple of days to feel totally comfortable before taking the field.

They will have selection conundrums over picking one from Dwaine Pretorius and Wayne Parnell. Parnell, with the international experience he has, is most likely to fit the team ahead of Pretorius. Imran Tahir will be the man to watch out for after he went wicketless in the previous game.

Probable XI:

New Zealand

Dean Brownlie, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

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.

StAttack:

1. Imran Tahir went wicketless in the previous ODI. The last time this happened was in June 2016 against West Indies at Barbados.

2. Tom Latham scored 137 the last time New Zealand played at the Hagley Oval.

3. South Africa will play at the Hagley Oval for the first time. The last time they played at Christchurch was way back in 2004.

4. AB de Villiers had 8950 runs to his name in ODIs. 50 more runs will make him the fastest to 9000 ODI runs. He has played 203 innings while the record holder Sourav Ganguly took 228 innings to achieve the same.

5. South Africa have won their last 12 ODI – their longest winning streak.

6. New Zealand have never lost at the Hagley Oval. They have won all the 5 matches played at the newly constructed venue.