New Zealand seek to continue improvement

Black Caps all set for two T20Is, three ODIs against South Africa.


Afp August 13, 2015
New Zealand have soared since the appointment of Brendon McCullum as skipper. PHOTO: AFP

DURBAN: Despite missing several key players, New Zealand are confident they can continue their growth as a team when they take on South Africa in two T20Is and three ODIs this month.

The first T20 is at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday and New Zealand go into the match fresh from a crushing 80-run win over Zimbabwe in a one-off match in Harare last Sunday.

The Black Caps also won a one-day series in Zimbabwe, recovering from a surprise seven-wicket defeat in the first match to win the next two convincingly.

New Zealand have come a long way since their previous visit to South Africa in 2012-13 when they were thrashed in two Test matches before coming back strongly to win a one-day series.

Coach Mike Hesson says that tour was the start of a New Zealand renaissance. “We hadn’t won a series in South Africa and we were under-strength, so to win that was a big achievement for us,” said Hesson. “That was the start of a pretty big two years, culminating in a World Cup final and the Test team moving up the rankings steadily.”

New Zealand beat South Africa by four wickets with one ball to spare in the World Cup semi-finals, but hopes of a meaningful rematch have effectively been dashed in terms of playing personnel.

McCullum has been rested for the tour together with fast-bowler Tim Southee. Injuries have ruled out Taylor, all-rounder Corey Anderson and Trent Boult, who formed a highly effective fast-bowling combination with Southee.

South Africa will be missing batsman JP Duminy and fast-bowler Morne Morkel, who are on paternity leave. Morkel will be available for the T20 games but Duminy will miss all the matches.

South Africa will seek to atone for a disappointing tour of Bangladesh, where they were beaten in a one-day series and had to settle for rain-hit draws in the two Tests.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ