Written by Rick John Henry for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
New Zealand vs South Africa | Thursday 23 October | Mount Maunganui | 23:30
The Proteas’ preparation for next year’s World Cup Down Under received a boost as the South Africans comfortably disposed of New Zealand in the first ODI. A slow Bay Oval pitch confounded the hosts, who had played no cricket at the ground previously. The sides make a return to the strip at Mount Maunganui for the second encounter, with injury-hampered New Zealand convinced of faring better now that they have had a good look at the wicket. This seems like inflated optimism to me, as only Luke Ronchi batted with any semblance of patience on a pitch that clearly required it. A composed chase on the part of the Proteas demonstrated the temperament that the Black Caps lacked in setting a target.
To Win
New Zealand 18/10
Tie 35/1
South Africa 9/20
New Zealand
To be fair to the Black Caps, they had a right to be slightly rusty in the first encounter. It was their first ODI since January, first competitive international since July and was played on an unfamiliar wicket. Indeed, the impatience that punctuated their lacklustre innings seemed a symptom of one too many T20 sessions. Additionally, the injury enforced absence of middle-order warriors Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor leaves their batting lineup rather brittle. Both will be out for the entire series and the Black Caps are forced to make do without the talented duo. Luckily, Tim Southee should make a return here and add beef to a Black Caps bowling unit looking slightly toothless. The surprising omission of Mitch McClenaghan baffles your humble writer, especially with his past success against the Proteas. Boult, Southee and McClenaghan, although lengthening the New Zealand tail, should be the preferred seamers. It would allow a specialist opener to replace Jimmy Neesham, with Corey Anderson responsible for a couple of overs. New Zealand can take positives from the opening loss; they kept great intensity in the field and put the Proteas under pressure, which could, on another day, have caused lesser sides to buckle and capitulate. They will be better here, but possibly not good enough.
South Africa
For the Proteas, it was an almost flawless display that bodes well going forward. Almost, in that they had reduced New Zealand to 156/9 before losing a grip on the last-wicket partnership, allowing Ronchi to romp to 99. De Villiers will expect his bowling attack to seal the deal in those situations. South Africa’s chase was perfectly paced for the wicket, although, at 97/4, a few irresponsible wickets could have put victory in jeopardy. Amla looked scratchy and out of touch and the Proteas will need his significant presence in controlling the innings. The boundary drought in the middle overs also did not bode well, but one must remember that the pitch was not one for stroke-making. Indeed, de Villiers kicked almost effortlessly into a higher gear when the runs were required and it seemed as though he was merely biding his time. He averages 76.85 in one-day internationals in 2014. David Miller and Rilee Rossouw find themselves embroiled in a battle for a spot in the middle-order, the former likely to get his chance in the second ODI having recovered from an infection. There are still areas of concern for the Proteas, particularly in the form of Ryan McLaren. Whether his military medium-pacers can have any impact on pitches Down Under presents some food for thought.
Venue
Teams return to the Bay Oval for the second consecutive ODI at Mount Maunganui. As mentioned, the strip plays slow and there is not much deviation in the air or off of the surface. It is a pitch that is tough for stroke-makers and rewards discipline, in both the batting and bowling departments. 250 should prove a competitive score. The forecast is sunny with little chance of rain.
VERDICT: South Africa 9/20
The Proteas are short-priced once again but it is for good reason. Without a stable middle-order and being experimental at the top, New Zealand seem likely to fold against the relentless Proteas attack. The Black Caps are organised in the field and don’t lack enthusiasm, but their plans going forward are cluttered. Back the Proteas to claim their fifth win in ODIs in New Zealand in a row.
