New Zealand vs South Africa – 3rd T20I – Match Preview
With series tied at one a piece, New Zealand and South Africa are all set to battle it out in the third and deciding T20 match, being played at Eden Park, Auckland, tomorrow on February 22, 2012.
At this point in the series, both teams seem equally matched. South Africa have the hard-hitting Richard Levi to rely on, while the New Zealand side will undoubtedly be banking on Martin Guptill, who has been performing spectacularly this season. In addition
to a series win, the number 2 spot on the ICC Twenty20 rankings also beckons for the winning team. The pressure is on for both sides.
South Africa, playing away from home, ended up losing the first T20 by 6 wickets however, bounced back emphatically to equalize, courtesy of an impressive 117-run knock off 51 balls by Levi – enabling the visitors to comfortably chase down the 173 (target)
in just 16 overs. While the 24-year-old seems capable of shouldering responsibility, the rest of the Proteas team will need to give their best on the field in order to ensure a series win.
In addition to the opener, the SA batting order looks fairly solid. Veteran batsman, Hashim Amla, was able to get a start in the first match (with 19 runs) but will undoubtedly be looking to add a substantial knock, where he has managed just 21 runs from
two innings.
Other promising batsmen include skipper AB de Villiers, whose supporting unbeaten hand of 39 in the previous game proved crucial. He will also be hungry to earn his first series triumph, as captain, away from home. Jean-Paul Duminy and Justin Ontong, who
scored a respectable 41 and 32, in the first T20, offer balance to the middle order.
The Proteas bowling attack could do with a bit more force. With the exception of Johan Botha, who took a wicket and did a nice job of restricting the run flow (conceding 22 runs in the 4 overs he bowled), the performances of the remaining bowlers were below
par.
Debutant Marchant de Lange managed to take a scalp, but also allowed the opponents to snatch a precious 43, revealing his inexperience. A more focused bowling attack will be needed to bring the Kiwi batting order down.
New Zealand’s batting order is spearheaded by the indomitable Martin Guptill, who has been playing one aggressive innings after the other. He might be joined by the hard-hitting Jesse Ryder (in place of Colin de Grandhomme), who is due to make a comeback
to the squad after roughly two months out, and will be eager to prove himself. Other notable batsmen include skipper, Brendon McCullum and all-rounder, James Franklin.
The Kiwi bowlers will have quite a job on their hands as they attempt to contain their opponent -a feat they were unable to accomplish in the last match, which lead them to suffer a heavy defeat at home for the first time this summer. While spinners Nathan
McCullum and Rob Nicol performed satisfactorily, Tim Southee, who took 3 scalps in the first match, was unimpressive in the second, conceding 40 runs from his 4 overs. Pacer Kyle Mills has also been unable to take a wicket so far in the series, and McCullum
might consider replacing him with Michael Bates.
The pitch at Eden Park, Auckland, is expected to be a green top, and will provide sufficient bounce for the seamers. However, considering the batting talent in both camps, one anticipates a high-scoring affair. The weather conditions are expected to be overcast,
with temperatures rising up to 26 degrees.
New Zealand playing XI: (probable)
Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Brendon McCullum (capt & wk), Jesse Ryder, James Franklin, Kane Willamson, Nathan McCullum, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Ronnie Hira, Kyle Mills
South Africa playing XI: (probable)
Hashim Amla, Richard Levi, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell, Rusty Theron/Marchant de Lange, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe