Published: Mar 01, 2017, 04:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 28, 2017, 06:41 PM (IST)
South Africa, who have a crucial lead of 2-1, will look to wrap up the ongoing five-match ODI series at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday against New Zealand. But that is not it. South Africa will also have to win the final ODI to maintain their No. 1 spot in ICC Rankings. If South Africa fail to do so, Australia will comfortably ease to the top spot. New Zealand, on the other hand, needs a win in the fourth ODI to keep the series alive. The live cricket streaming of the match will be officially available on OSN Play, Foxtel Go and SKY GO. As for the live telecast, it will be available on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand, Fox Sports 2 in Australia, Supersport in South Africa, Sky Sports in United Kingdom (UK) and OSN Sports in the Middle East. Full Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs South Africa, 4th ODI at Hamilton
New Zealand will be pleased to have their limited-overs specialist Martin Guptill back in the squad while Jeetan Patel broadens the horizons for the hosts in terms of bowling. In the last ODI he played before his injury, Guptill scored 61 against Australia at the Eden Park in Auckland. He can provide the firepower in the top-order with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor providing the required support. Meanwhile, David Miller has not scored runs which will make him feel comfortable, since his return to the side. The same can be said for JP Duminy, who is yet to bring out his best. NZ vs SA, 4th ODI preview: Hamilton gears up to act as perfect hosts
However, Quinton de Kock has been the only consistent batsman despite AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis presence, to score fifty in almost every match. Another fifty will set a new record on its own for de Kock of six consecutive fifties by a South African player. De Villiers is not far behind, who has scored 167 runs in three games with the help of one half-century.
South Africa will want to live up to the standards they showed against Sri Lanka at home in ODI series as well as in the few games of this tour. South Africa are coming off a 159-run victory in the third ODI, which puts the momentum on their side. As for New Zealand, a win in the next two games will not only help them wrap up the series but it will also hand them their ninth consecutive series win at home.
