The opening ODI between New Zealand and South Africa was a fantastic game of cricket and watchers will be hoping for more of the same when the two sides meet in the second match of the series in Christchurch on Wednesday.
South Africa drew a dramatic first blood in Hamilton and will be out to take control of the series in this match while New Zealand will be desperate to level the series to keep any chance of winning it realistic.
New Zealand
Once again the New Zealand batting let them down in Hamilton and worryingly that is twice on the trot if you include the T20 match that it has happened. They desperately need someone at the top of the order to stand up and be the one for the stroke players to bat around especially here on what is usually a high scoring ground.
As has been the case so often recently their bowlers nearly got them out of the mess the batsmen made but South Africa just had too much depth with the bat in the end and that sent New Zealand to defeat but their bowlers shouldn’t be too downhearted. They will be hoping to either bowl first or have a bigger target to defend.
South Africa
Sunday’s win was the 12th successive win for the Proteas in this format of the game which shows that there is no weakness in their side. When you consider in that time they have lost Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott to the Kolpak system and are currently without David Miller, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn that run is even more remarkable.
Solid batting and building platforms is the main reason for their success. They don’t go too hard early on with the bat and leave themselves in a hole and when they bowl there isn’t really anyone in their attack that can be got after. It is a simply combination but a very solid one and is working a treat right now.
Team News
New Zealand are going to be without Martin Guptill once again which isn’t ideal. Tom Latham is set to keep the gloves which means another bowler can be played.
South Africa are rumoured to be debating over whether Tabraiz Shamsi will stay in the side or whether to go with the extra seamer. David Miller is being tested but isn’t likely to start.
Hagley Oval
There have been nine previous ODIs on this ground. New Zealand have only played in five of them but they’ve won the lot which is a statistic that will give them confidence. South Africa will be tasting the Christchurch venue for the first time.
Scores here are generally on the higher side although this is one of the bigger grounds in New Zealand. With it being a day game there could be something in the wicket early on for the bowlers.
Betting
You would be a brave man to take South Africa on in this format at the minute and until New Zealand show something with the bat I’m not going to do it but on the flip side 4/7 shots on these grounds isn’t for me either. That means I’ll head to the side markets for a bet here.
The market in question is the sixes where 12.5 looks a fair line but for me it is a shade too high. I keep banging on about this New Zealand batting line up looking out of form and you don’t hit the South Africa attack around the park very often. South Africa look to set platforms but New Zealand are tight enough at the death not to go too so I fancy the sixes total will be no more than a dozen on what is a pretty big ground by New Zealand standards.
Tips
WON – Back Under 12.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Boylesports
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