The Test series in New Zealand has been talked about a lot before it has happened thanks to South Africa’s selections for this tour. James Richarson previews the first Test.
New Zealand v South Africa
4 – 8 February 2024
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
A whole string of Test debuts await for the Proteas who have only a handful of capped players.
The Bay Oval cricket ground in Mount Maunganui plays host to the series opener. It will be the fifth Test played at the venue and the first involving South Africa.
To Win Match
New Zealand 1/4 | Draw 7/1 | South Africa 13/2
They haven’t won a series against South Africa in Test cricket, so the Kiwis will feel that this is their one opportunity to finally get a victory against a Proteas lineup that isn’t at full strength.
The Black Caps don’t need any reminders as the first-ever World Test Champions about how crucial every win is to their chances of making it to the championship match.
Rachin Ravindra is likely to play in his first test at home in two years since Henry Nicholls is out of the running for selection.
In the Bangladesh Tests, Glenn Phillips showed his skills with the ball, and he is expected to replace Mitchell Santner as the starting spin bowler.
The national test squad will be captained by a debutant for the second time in the last 50 years of South African cricket. The 27-year-old Neil Brand, who has amassed over 4 000 runs in domestic red-ball cricket, leads the national squad after excelling in four-day matches with the South African A side.
Another potent player in the mix is former South Africa under-19 captain Raynard van Tonder, who averages over 40 runs at bat in first-class cricket matches.
Daniel Piedt returns to the South African team four years after his last Test match against India in Ranchi. Piedt made his debut for the country in 2014 taking a wicket with his first ball.
Dane Paterson is a talented seamer who amassed a ton of wickets in the first-class system and he will be an important part of the Proteas engine.
Verdict: New Zealand 1/4
The Proteas will need to pull off one of the great upsets of Test cricket to bag the win here. Unlikely.
