South Africa seek return to winning ways in New Zealand ODIs

However, New Zealand showed that it is no pushover in the T20I series. South Africa’s attack did not suss that out and some of their batsmen were done in by it.

The echoes of 2013 are getting louder for Martin Guptill, suddenly the Black Caps’ most experienced player can sense another one-day upset in South Africa. We struggled to get momentum on our side.

The New Zealand coach has been impressed with the way some of the younger players, such as bowlers Ben Wheeler and recalled legspinner Ish Sodhi, have taken their opportunities, respectively in England recently and on the current trip to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Yes, when we’re old and grey we might sit contently in our rocking chairs relaying tales of how De Villiers suddenly sprouted hair and hit yet another ridiculous shot for a ridiculous 100 to the next generation, but when they ask what the point of it all was, we will struggle to find an answer. Still at least it will be good fun if AB de Villiers gets going.

For one, middle-order batsman Colin Munro is susceptible to “bouncers into rib cage”, which he “doesn’t play well”, according to the South Africans.

Back in January 2013 a Guptill century led New Zealand to a T20 victory in East London, they were demolished in the tests but then bounced back to win the ODIs 2-1; their first series victory in the Republic. In this game, he conceded 13 runs in his first over and 17 runs in the remaining three overs, which included three wickets. “In an ODI maybe we can be a bit more circumspect in trying to build the game up because the ball does swing a lot more at this time of year”. Now, David Wiese has been given the chance to make the role his own.

“We are fairly happy with our preparation for the World T20”.

The plans describe George Worker and Luke Ronchi as compulsive pullers, and Nathan McCullum as a player who often gets caught at deep square leg. Morne van Wyk (three) and Amla (14) were both out by the end of the fourth over, leaving them 19 for two.

We do have plenty of things to look ahead to on this collection regardless of their absence, as de Villiers can be enjoying his first ODI publish that World Cup clash. There really is little need for a one-day series other than to appease broadcasters and stakeholders. “I am very comfortable there and looking forward to win a game or two”.