New Zealand, South Africa and Eden Park, Auckland: the keywords are enough to teleport you to the thriller staged two years back at the iconic venue, albeit on a grander stage, the grandest of them all. South Africa have serious unfinished business in New Zealand, and AB de Villiers had no hesitation in admitting to that ahead of their flight to Auckland: “We’ve got some unfinished business in New Zealand.”
It is ironic that South Africa start their full series in New Zealand with a T20I on Friday at the very ground where they suffered the massive heartbreak in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup. New Zealand required 5 from 2 balls when Grant Elliott — a South Africa-born, to give the turn of events that extra twist — smacked Dale Steyn out of the park to guide New Zealand to their maiden World Cup final. Two years on, many of the protagonists are not around. Brendon McCullum has quit; Elliott has retired from ODIs and has not played T20Is; and Steyn is nursing a career-threatening injury. Full cricket scorecard: New Zealand vs South Africa, one-off T20I
When the sides clash in Auckland, the sentiments will remain the same. Kane Williamson’s New Zealand have had a happy run at home this season against Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia, but South Africa will perhaps present them with the sternest challenge.
Faf du Plessis, who had top-scored for Proteas in the World Cup semi-final with 82, will be back at the helm as captain for the only T20I. Most of the regular South Africans were absent in their last T20I assignment against Sri Lanka last month where Farhaan Behardien had led a young and inexperienced side to a 1-2 defeat.
South African perspective: Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock are set to resume their roles as openers with birthday boy de Villiers, du Plessis and JP Duminy to follow. David Miller, another hero (49 off 18) from that eventful 2015 tie, should make the cut if his injured finger heals before the start of the toss. If not, he will be replaced by Behardien.
Chris Morris follows next. He can club the leather far, while his bowling will be key. Kagiso Rabada will lead the pace attack, backed by Wayne Parnell and Andile Phehlukwayo. They also have the best limited-overs bowler in their ranks to head the spin department. Imran Tahir is ranked No. 1 in the ICC ODI and T20I bowlers’ ranking.
The shorter boundaries at Eden Park will mean that one can expect runs at galore and the bowling will have to be top notch to able to be to contain. Also, with some of the best fielders in the world at their disposal, South Africa have all departments sorted.
New Zealand perspective: Martin Guptill’s unavailability will be a big blow to the Kiwis. The 20-year-old Auckland opener Glenn Phillips has been drafted in the squad and is expected to play. He made his T20 debut earlier this season and has been a smash hit in the McDonald’s Super Smash tournament where he top-scored with 369 runs at 46.12 at an incredible strike rate of 143. It is a coincidence that young Phillips is another South Africa-born.
Phillips, wicketkeeper for his domestic side, is prophesised as the next McCullum. He is yet to play a First-Class game but will be partnered by Williamson at the top. Colin Munro will be at No. 3, followed by Tom Bruce, Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme and the hard-hitting Luke Ronchi.
New Zealand derive their strength from their potent bowling attack led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee. They have variety in de Grandhomme’s medium pacers and Mitchell Santner. Even express pacer Lockie Ferguson may make it to the side ahead of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi considering the smaller boundaries and unusual dimensions of Eden Park.
South Africa wear a stronger look on paper but New Zealand wear the invincibility cloak at home. However, South Africa have a 10:4 win-loss ratio against New Zealand in this T20 Internationals. On the other hand, New Zealand are the top-ranked side in the world, while South Africa are No. 4.
Squads:
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips (wk), Luke Ronchi (wk), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Wheeler.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, David Miller, Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Time: 7.00 pm local | 11:30 am IST | 06:00 GMT
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