The South Africa and the New Zealand will take each for the first test match of the two-match series. These two teams will lock their horns on August 19, 2016, at the Kingsmead, Durban.
WHERE TO WATCH
Ten Sports
TIMING
1:30 PM
South Africa Team Preview
The Proteas Test team going through a transition period and now are not the No. 1 test team. South Africa ranks at No 7 in the ICC Test ranking, but this team is far better than its ranking.
Meanwhile, Faf Du Plessis will lead this team in the absence of AB Devilliers, who will miss this test series due to injury. This is the first time, since 2004 that AB De Villiers will miss a test match due to injury.
Also, Morne Morkel has been ruled out due to the injury. But, the duo of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander is back in action and with Kagissoo Rabada is expected to form the pace attack for Proteas alongside Steyn and Philander.
Most likely Dane Peit will play as the lone spinner for South Africa and all-rounder JP Duminy will also roll his finger on the red cherry.
The key for batting department will be Hashim Amla and Du Plessis, as both these are a most experienced player in the batting order. Also, the likes of Dean Algar, Temba Bavuma, and Jp Duminy has to stand strong to provide the depth in the batting order.
South Africa has lost their last two test match series against the India and the England. But, knowing the spirit of Proteas, we are sure that they will look to turn the table this time.
SOUTH AFRICAN SQUAD
Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis(c), Temba Bavuma, Jean-Paul Duminy, Quinton de Kock(w), Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Dane Piedt, Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Stiaan van Zyl.
New Zealand Team Preview
The New Zealand will enter this test match on the back of a solid Test series win against the minor Zimbabwe side. Kane Williamson’s led side has completely thrashed the Zimbabwe with all round performance.
Tom Latham scored back to back centuries in both matches and captain Williamson also came handy with a score of 92 and a century in both the first tow matches.
Kane Williamson came in the record book and become the youngest Test player to score the centuries against all theTest playing nation as he achieved this target at the age of 25. But, let me remind you one thing that despite this record Williamson has not scored a century against South Africa in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the batting order of this team relies on heavily on the likes of Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, and Bj Watling. Also, Mitchell Santner and Henry Nichols will also need to fire with the bat.
The bowling unit of this team will depend on the duo of the Trent Boult and Tim Southee. These two have been the lethal pace factory of the New Zeland bowling unit. Especially, Trent Boult has impressed everyone with his swing last year in Australia.
Meanwhile, Neil Wagner is expected to play as the lone spinner for New Zealand. Kane Williamson will look to start positive on his first tour to South Africa as a captain and will love to take forward the legacy of Brendon McCullum who taught his team to play the aggressive brand of Cricket.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD
Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(w), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Luke Ronchi.
PREDICTION
South Africa are favorite to win this match.
