1st ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Centurion

The third and fourth best ODI teams square off in a three-match series that starts today in Gauteng. Both teams will be fielding weakened sides. For New Zealand, McCullum, Boult and Southee all miss out, while for the hosts, JP Duminy is on paternity leave and Faf du Plesis could miss out through injury.

Meanwhile, a member of the South African staff might be in need of updating their resume after they inadvertently slipped a dossier containing New Zealand's batting strengths and weaknesses under the door of a hotel guest. The document was in fact meant for Dale Steyn and reveals South Africa's entire game-plan for the series. Whoops.

Quote:The in-form opener, Martin Guptill, is seen as vulnerable against bouncers angling in to him, while the captain, Kane Williamson, will be targeted as a batsman who does not pull well.

The all-rounder Grant Elliott, whose six at Eden Park off the penultimate ball put New Zealand into the World Cup final at the expense of South Africa in March, requires yorkers angling in late while bouncers are seen as a dot-ball option.

Both the newcomer George Worker and wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi are seen as compulsive pullers and hookers.

AB De Villiers will again have to shoulder the batting responsibilities if he is knocked over early,a choke is on the cards.
Being a neutral fan I can say both teams are evenly match with SA having an edge due to home advantage

Good analysis though : pity ! 

[quote author=bala24 link=topic=99702.msg651703#msg651703 date=1439977832]
AB De Villiers will again have to shoulder the batting responsibilities if he is knocked over early,a choke is on the cards.
Being a neutral fan I can say both teams are evenly match with SA having an edge due to home advantage
[/quote]

Not this time. A 185 run partnership between Amla and Rossouw didn't leave much for de Villiers to do. If ever he was going to fail, he chose the right day to do it.

SA 304/7.

In reply New Zealand are 3/1 with Guptill injured.

Its a Tri series : Kiwis front line bowlers are resting !

Amla had a field day with that TON  8)

South Africa is in a decent position and should score almost 300 runs if not more. I am favoring South Africa to win this match today but you can never tell what the New Zealand Batsmen will do and so this should be a close one.

South Africa 304/7 (50.0 ov)  New Zealand 161/5 (31.3 ov)

Nice to see Vernon is back !  8)

                                   

95 runs off 11.3 required !

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38.3  Rabada to Neesham, FOUR
38.2  Rabada to Neesham, FOUR 

I wonder how much South Africa will regret Rabada dropping Neesham? These two at the crease have got New Zealand in a decent position. 79 needed from the last 10 overs.

Edit: Perhaps not too much as Wiese picks up the crucial wicket of Jimmy Neesham. New Zealand still need another 69 from 50 balls.