South Africa vs New Zealand: Black Caps look to continue playing attacking brand of cricket

Variety in their bowling attack and different types of batsmanship in their armoury, New Zealand team covers all bases in the longest format. They have a captain who has already played 50 Tests at the age of 26. They have a fan base like no other. In fact, they are difficult to hate. If anything, they live and breathe the phrase cricket stands for: gentlemen’s game. Placed at No. 5 in ICC Test rankings, they will be itching to climb up the table to claim the spot they deserve. And, with the two-Test series against the struggling South Africa, Black Caps seek a shot at redemption. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs New Zealand, 1st Test at Durban

In the recently concluded Test series against Zimbabwe, they achieved the inevitable, beating them 0-2. However, this time, they will have to encounter more difficulties to cross the finish line. This time, there will be no margin for error. Because, this time, they will face the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, to name just three South African forces to reckon with, in their own den.

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If one goes by the numbers, New Zealand’s performance against South Africa is abysmal, winning only four Tests out of 40. A winning per cent of 10 labels them ‘underdogs’, no doubt. Hence, it’s high time they turn the forms and fortune their own way, and make a statement.

South African tracks have a reputation of generating good carry. A batsman often gets stuck in two minds as to whether to play on the front foot or rock back. To put things into perspective, the tracks offer help to the bowlers to yield extra bounce as well as lateral movement.

New Zealand have swing bowlers in Trent Boult and Tim Southee at their disposal. Together they have played many a match and in harmony. Armed with lethal pace, the duo can send the South African batsmen packing. Neil Wagner, on the other hand, does both — swing as well as hit the deck hard — with his lethal action. Wagner, another South African-born who dons the Black Caps’ jersey, has picked up 85 wickets at 30.43. Also read – South Africa vs New Zealand: Different agendas; one common goal

Among spinners, they have the young and emerging duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, and third spinning option in Mark Craig. All in all, the bowling is potent enough to mount pressure on the opposition.

Under Brendon McCullum, New Zealand took no half measures. Then never held themselves back. They simply fired on all cylinders.

Under Kane Williamson as well, they display the same brand of cricket. When he takes the field, he looks more mature than his age. When he is in the press conference, he speaks wiser than one expects. If one takes a look at his career, it evidences the fact why he was put at the helm. In 50 matches, he has amassed 4,309 runs at 51.29. Even if he plays for another decade, he is likely to achieve milestones that even the former New Zealand greats could not.

Along with Williamson, their batting firepower boasts off Marin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and wicketkeeper BJ Watling. In addition, their batting depth keeps growing, as Santner and Southee can use their blade to good effect. Also read: Visitors eye domination over rebuilding hosts

Coming back to the numbers, New Zealand have won three matches on South African soil in the total tally of four wins. Nonetheless, that still doesn’t change their unfathomable record against the home team.

For the Black Caps to dominate the South Africans, they will have to play fire with fire and stick to their attacking brand of cricket, for they already feature game-changers in their ranks.

(Kaustubh S. Mayekar, a reporter at CricketCountry, played cricket at U-16 level. Like his idol Rahul Dravid, he often shadow-practises cricket shots. His Twitter handle is @kaumedy_)