The New Zealand national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team are all set to face each other in the five-match T20 series starting from March 15 at the Bay Oval ground in Mount Maunganui. Both teams will be eager to make a winning start to the T20 series.
This article provides the probable playing XIs, probable team combinations and key players to watch out for the Bangladesh national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team for the first T20I of the series at the Bay Oval Ground, Mount Maunganui.
New Zealand Playing XI vs South Africa, Match 1, T20I Series:
Openers: Devon Conway (wk), Nick Kelly
As the most experienced batsman in the New Zealand lineup, Devon Conway is expected to control the powerplay and give the team a strong and steady start against South Africa. His strong domestic record in T20Is makes him a very important player for the team, especially in the absence of Finn Allen.
Nick Kelly has received his first T20I call-up after his strong domestic performances for the Wellington Firebirds. Now Kelly will be eager to prove herself at the international level.
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Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham, Josh Clarkson and Jack Foulkes.
It is expected that Tim Robinson will score fast runs in the middle overs with his aggressive batting. Bevon Jacobs is likely to bat at No. 4 or No. 5 and provide powerful hitting. Captain Mitchell Santner will also be important in the middle overs and will control the game with his left-arm spin.
Senior all-rounder James Neesham will play the role of finisher and will also help with medium pace bowling. Seam-bowling all-rounder Josh Clarkson gives the team additional bowling options and useful runs lower down the order. The Young Folks add extra depth with their swing bowling and easy batting.
Bowlers: Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi
Kyle Jamieson will lead the fast bowling attack. His height helps him generate extra bounce, which can trouble South Africa’s top-order batsmen with the new ball. On the other hand, young speedster Ben Sears will bring raw pace of over 140 km/h, mainly in the middle and death overs.
His aggressive bowling style can help break important partnerships. Experienced spinner Ish Sodhi will be the main option to take wickets in the middle overs. With his leg-spin variety and T20I experience, Sodhi will look to provide crucial breakthroughs for the home team.
South Africa Playing XI vs New Zealand, Match 1, T20I Series:
Openers: Tony De Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk)
Tony De Zorzi is expected to play an attacking role up top. His ability to attack the bowlers quickly and score quick runs in the powerplay makes him a big threat for New Zealand. His ability to handle the swinging new ball in New Zealand conditions will be vital for South Africa.
Young wicketkeeper-batsman Connor Esterhuizen is set to make his T20I debut. He will also open batting and keep wickets. His aggressive style and ability to play shots all around the ground can give South Africa a fresh and strong start on the New Zealand tour.
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Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Jordan Harman, Rubin Harman, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, George Linde.
Jordan Harman and Rubin Harman will play important roles in the middle overs. Jordan can provide stability against spinners like Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, while Rubin will focus on rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard moving.
It is expected that Jason Smith will handle the finishing touches with his strong hitting in the final overs. Wiaan Mulder’s medium pace bowling and batting will be another luxury for the Proteas team. And then George Linde adds balance with his left-arm spin and aggressive lower-order batting.
Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj (captain), Gerald Coetzee, and Otniel Baartman
Keshav Maharaj will lead the bowling attack and control the flow of runs with his left-arm spin in the middle overs. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will bring raw pace and bounce. His main job is to attack the top order and break opening partnerships, especially against batsman Devon Conway.
Otniel Bartman will take charge of the death overs. His yorkers and slower balls will be crucial in stopping the big hitters like Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner in the final overs.
