Both New Zealand and South Africa have had long summers but they end this week when the two meet in the third and final Test match in Hamilton. In keeping with their competitive schedules it is probably fitting that there is something at stake in this last game.
South Africa lead the series 1-0 after a solid win in Wellington last week so a New Zealand will win level up the series while the tourists know they only need to avoid defeat to land the spoils which is exactly the position they will have wanted to be in.
New Zealand
As has been the case throughout the summer no matter which format it has been it is the batting where New Zealand have really struggled. Even when they were a bowler down in Wellington they had things under control for the most part but their top order just can’t seem to lay a solid enough platform to be competitive.
New Zealand have had three innings in the series to date and they haven’t even threatened 350 and you don’t win many Test matches these days if you are not putting up substantial runs even allowing for the slightly more bowler friendly nature we’ve seen in the wickets here so far than what we are perhaps used to seeing.
South Africa
The overseas record of South Africa is something quite special and they will be looking to enhance that with a win in this final match before they head home and put their feet up ahead of another tough tour of New Zealand. We saw exactly why they are so good away from home in the previous Test in Wellington.
That is their batting depth primarily where they recovered from a huge deficit with four wickets left in the first innings to take a significant lead and then the variety and variations in their bowling attack really came to the fore. They have a spinner who can deliver in the second innings and put more time into the game which is big.
Team News
New Zealand go into this match without three big players due to injury. We knew Ross Taylor was out but injuries have hit Trent Boult and Tim Southee too. Matt Henry is in line for a return to the side.
South Africa had a doubt over Quinton de Kock after he picked up a finger injury in the field in Wellington but he has recovered well enough to feature which means the tourists could be unchanged.
Seddon Park
These two have already played two ODIs on this ground this summer and now they will compete in the 23rd Test to be held here. New Zealand have ten wins and six defeats in the previous 22 matches while South Africa have a win and a draw from their two visits to this ground.
There is talk of the wicket being very slow here so the spinners might come into the match a little more which I guess wouldn’t hurt New Zealand too much given their injuries. Rain is forecast throughout the match though sadly.
Betting
I don’t really want to get involved in the long term markets for this match because we’re guessing really about how much cricket we will get over the first days but it would take some pretty substantial rainfall not to get the first innings done and there is a bet I like for that.
It comes in the New Zealand batting line up where surprisingly you can get a level start on Jeet Raval to beat Tom Latham. Raval has beaten Latham in all three innings in the series so far and in truth they have all been by comfortable margins. Raval has won by 42, 28 and 74 runs thus far with Latham yet to score more than 10 in any innings. The 5/6 Raval beats Latham again has to be snapped up.
Tips
WON – Back J.Raval to beat T.Latham in the first innings for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back him here:
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