New Zealand will be eyeing their first ever Test series win against South Africa as the Proteas have sent a second-string squad to the Kiwi land with senior stars engaged in the ongoing SA20 tournament being held back home.
The South African squad wears a very unfamiliar look at the moment, almost unrecognisable to the team that drew the two-match series against India by 1-1 last month. However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) is reliant on SA20 for financial sustainability and hence all top players are engaged with their respective franchises currently.
Captain Neil Brand will play his first international cricket match at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval on Sunday and seven other members of his squad are untested at this level in the longest form of the game. After a weakened West Indies stunned World Test Champions (WTC) Australia and England similarly upset India in Hyderabad last week, however, New Zealand will not be taking the South Africans lightly.
Anyone who’s played the game knows you’ve got to respect the game, respect the opposition,” Black Caps captain Tim Southee told reporters on Saturday. “South Africans are very competitive people, very passionate people about their country. So I’m sure that this group of players … are excited about playing test cricket and will give everything. Sports are a great leveller and you just play what’s in front of you. Be where your feet are and worry about it one day at a time.”
While the weather forecast for the first Test is good, the wicket was under covers on Saturday because of heavy rain and Southee said he would not reveal his team until the toss. He said the entire squad had trained well over the last few days, easing concerns over the health of former captain Kane Williamson, batsman Tom Blundell and quick Kyle Jamieson.