The beginning of the New Zealand and South Africa Test series is eagerly awaited and it all begins on Wednesday morning down in Dunedin, or Tuesday evening if you are in the UK. The opening match of three in the series will afford both sides the chance to go a match up with two to play.
New Zealand
Arguably the best home side in Test cricket at the minute will be looking to extend their proud record both in this match and in this series and if they are going to do that they will need to be at their very best in every department. They’ll have knowledge of conditions in their favour but that advantage will only remain for so long.
There are few fears about the Kiwi bowling attack being competitive in this match so the outcome could well be determined by how well they bat. This isn’t a batting unit that have played particularly well in recent times but they are in the middle of their domestic competition so everyone should be prepared for this.
South Africa
While New Zealand are probably the best side in the world at home at the minute South Africa can certainly hold significant claims for being the best touring side going around these days and they will be looking to show just why here. One of the reasons for their success on the road has been the variety they have on offer with the ball.
Another reason for their success is the depth they have with the bat and that shouldn’t be underestimated. With the likes of Vernon Philander coming in at eight the South Africans are very much like the England sides of the past who have batted deep and dominated series because of it.
Team News
It is all change from the one day side for New Zealand. The likes of Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie and Neil Broom have been dispensed with and Tom Latham, Jeet Raval will come into the side. New Zealand could play two spinners but that is unlikely.
South Africa also change much of their side with Dean Elgar, Stephen Cook and Temba Bavuma coming in with the bat while Faf du Plessis has confirmed there will be a first start in a while for Morne Morkel.
University Oval
There have been seven previous Test matches on this ground and New Zealand are unbeaten in them with three wins and four draws. South Africa drew on their only previous visit here when the final day was washed out.
The wicket here doesn’t always look like it but it is usually plays very well for the batsmen. There will be something in it for the bowlers in the first session but then the batsmen can make hay. It all switches around in the second half of the match though so we always get good cricket here.
Betting
We have the best home side in the world against the best tourists in this series so it will be interesting to see what gives. I will leave the match betting alone to begin with and go with a couple of other main bets.
Tom Latham played three innings in the ODIs against South Africa with outcomes of 0,2 and 0 and while this is a different format admittedly it is clear that the visitors have the wood on him at the minute. With that in mind I’m keen on Dean Elgar to beat Latham. Elgar has been performing well in 2017 and should have the tools to cover a 1.5 run first innings handicap.
Tim Southee has a performance line which looks pretty low here at 100.5. That is only five wickets and either a run or a catch but even if he only gets four wickets he can make up the required 21 in catches and runs over two innings. Southee has a solid enough record on this ground and that line looks well within reach.
Whenever South Africa play in this format of the game Temba Bavuma seems to be underrated by the bookmakers. He has a couple of 40s against New Zealand in three innings so it isn’t like he can’t play against them. Bavuma didn’t necessarily have the best of it against Sri Lanka over Christmas but these are more his conditions and I can’t resist a go at him to top score in the first innings at 10/1 with the top order having to negotiate two world class new ball bowlers.
Tips
WON – Back D.Elgar (-1.5 runs) to beat T.Latham (1st Inns) for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with Coral
Back him here:
VOID – Back T.Southee’s Performance – Over 100.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
Back T.Bavuma Top South Africa 1st Inns Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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