South Africa vs New Zealand: Struggling hosts look to regain momentum

Struggling South Africa will host ever-improving New Zealand for first Test match at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday. Both the sides have played in total 40 Tests against each other out of which South Africa have won 23 while New Zealand have won four. Rest 13 between these teams have ended in draw. The last time Proteas and Kiwis clashed in South Africa was in January 2013, where the hosts won the series by 2-0. South Africa played their last Test series against England that they lost 2-1. They also lost the series against India and their rankings dropped from No. 1 to No. 7 in the process. It will be battle of inexperienced captains with Faf du Plessis taking in charge for injured AB de Villiers and Kane Williamson as skipper after Brendon McCullum’s retirement. Full Cricket Scorecard: south Africa vs New Zealand, 1st Test at Durban

Two successive series defeats, absence of their Test skipper and pacer Morne Morkel, along with drop in the rankings has left South Africa ablaze against New Zealand, who are coming with series win against Zimbabwe. Du Plessis will be stand-in skipper for very first time. Considering his recent poor form in Test cricket and selection as captain has left cricket experts in splits. His innings of 68, 14 and 82 against West Indies at home in 2015 was after his century against the same opponents in the same Test at Port Elizabeth. In the entire series against England in 2015-16, the only standing point for du Plessis was in the second Test with his score of 86.

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Du Plessis maintained low profile against India and was unable to produce the necessary runs at the top. The T20I captain donning the role of Test captain puts question mark but he needs to go all out if South Africa need to survive in the Test arena. Temba Bavuma is a hidden talent for South Africa (quite literally). His recent maiden century against England and his game of finesse is what South Africa requires in the middle.

Stephen Cook also is a highlight in the squad after his performance against England and scoring maiden century to end their series on positive note against England. If there is any batsman South Africa can rely on is Hashim Amla. His consistency against England inclusive of his fourth double century, makes him the go to man. Apart from these key batsmen, Quinton de Kock can also boost the middle-order/top-order with those swashbuckling shots like witnessed against England with his unbeaten 129 in the final Test. Dean Elgar’s performance against England and India keeps his spot sealed. South Africa will want their middle-order batsman JP Duminy to better his game. ALSO READ: SA vs NZ: Black Caps look to continue playing attacking brand of cricket

As for the bowling unit, if there are two bowlers New Zealand need to be wary about are Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. Steyn, who strained his groin and has remained out of Test arena due to injury, is set to pull up his socks and get the better of New Zealand. His one good performance can take him from No. 3 to No. 1. Rabada is on top after receiving One-Day International (ODI) and Test Cricketer of the Year. His seven-wicket haul and five-wicket haul against England has lifted expectations. Vernon Philander is on spotlight as well, as he returns after missing out seven Tests for South Africa including the Test series against India and England. This will be the first time these bowlers will team up together, making the pace attack stronger. Biggest set back will be the absence of Morne.

South Africa relies on their only specialist spinner Dane Piedt. His fifer against England at this venue last summer, has helped establish himself wicket-taker in conditions that could prove challenging in the coming Tests as the pitch conditions are unknown for bowlers at present.

South Africa have won 16 matches at home out of 23 played against New Zealand. Three were clinched by the visitors while four landed in draw. With culmination of new and experienced players on the side and the team going through restructuring phase, South Africa will need to find right balance under the new captain.