The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa is set to take place in Christchurch on Thursday. The squad would be missing their aces, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, this time.
It’s been 14 years since the hosts began a Test without either Taylor or Williamson, their top two all-time Test run scorers, and they now have the added pressure of attempting to win a series against South Africa for the first time.
Taylor retired from international cricket last month, while Williamson is sidelined with an injury, leaving the Black Caps without a steadying influence against a potent Proteas pace attack.
South Africa just defeated India in a home Test and ODI series.
In the two-test series, New Zealand coach Gary Stead admits his squad has a difficult task. He remarked, “They’re certainly a good team,” and “capable of beating India in South Africa.”
“They’ve got a lot of classy players, and while they don’t have a lot of experience, you can’t dismiss them.”
New Zealand will also be missing speed spearhead Trent Boult, who is expecting a kid, and will be replaced by Matt Henry.
Devon Conway, the batsman, and Neil Wagner, the fast bowler, were both born and bred in South Africa, and Stead stated they were looking forward to facing the Proteas.
From our perspective, they’re now true-blue Kiwis,” he continued, “even though they may have little accents at times.”
“They’re putting in a lot of effort for the ‘Silver Fern,’ but I imagine playing against South Africa will be thrilling as well.”
The defending World Test winners are the favourites to win the series, with South Africa in fifth place in the ICC Test rankings.
However, in the previous 20 Test matches against the Proteas, the Kiwis have only managed to win one.
Brendon McCullum, a former Black Caps captain, described South Africa’s captain, Dean Elgar, as “tough, grit, and they don’t give you an inch.”
I believe this is going to be a ripper series; I’m forecasting a 1-1 tie, although I have South Africa as small favourites,” he says.
“Considering how good New Zealand has been in the previous several years, that’s a tough ask.”
Elgar was concerned about New Zealand’s danger on a fast pitch at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, but claimed the India series had shown that South Africa could handle it.
“With all due respect, New Zealand’s offensive is a little behind the Indian onslaught,” he remarked.
“That said, they perform their skills flawlessly in their circumstances.”
