South Africa bats first in series-deciding 3rd ODI against New Zealand

Morne van Wyk has failed in the opening role and David Wiese in the middle-order has not been able to contribute much.

New Zealand will be hoping openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham repeat the heroics of second ODI.

Mascarenhas said Doug Bracewell, back in the team after a couple of years’ absence, had probably deserved man of the match in collecting 3-30 off his 10 overs as the Black Caps bowled South Africa out for 204.

“Guys like Dale and Vernon are very nice bowlers on a wicket that is doing a little bit”.

“This is a knockout match and if we can adjust quickly and beat them it’ll be a good game”.

They would also have had the time to assess whether they have gleaned anything from their experimentation and probably found an equal number of solutions as problems.

In Potchefstroom there were just four New Zealand returnees from the epic World Cup semifinal in March – Williamson, Guptill, Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi – compared with seven South Africans.

Both teams have had their fair share of problems and successes.

“To come here and beat them on their home ground would be nice”.

One of the major challenges that South Africa has faced in the series so far is their shoddy fielding.

New Zealand have been without senior players including Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, with Kane Williamson now leading the side.

Black Caps fast bowler Adam Milne celebrates the wicket of Morne van Wyk during a hostile spell in Potchefstroom.

“A team without Brendon, Trent and Tim played in Dubai (against Pakistan) not so long ago and won that series”.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve been surprised”, Milne said today.

All-rounder James Neesham, who missed the second ODI with back trouble, is ruled out of the third game as well. The visitor put in a fine all-round display then, with the bowlers first restricting South Africa to 204, and then Martin Guptill, ignoring an injury to his left hand, hammering an unbeaten 134-ball 103 that helped New Zealand win by eight wickets with 33 balls to spare.