NZ vs SA, 1st T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs
New Zealand and South Africa begin their five-match T20I series with the opening game at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
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New Zealand will face South Africa in the first T20I of a five-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on March 15. Both teams recently met during the T20 World Cup, and this series will give them another chance to test their bench strength with several young players included in the squads.
New Zealand will aim to move forward after their defeat in the T20 World Cup final against India. The team struggled with the bat in that match and could not defend their chances. For this series, Mitchell Santner will captain the side in the first three games, while Tom Latham will lead the team in the last two. In the squad, a few new names from the domestic circuit have been included. Jayden Lennox and Katene Clarke could make their T20I debuts in this series.
The South Africans will be keen to start the series on a high after losing at the semifinal stage in the T20 World Cup. The Proteas had an impressive campaign in the tournament but were knocked out by New Zealand in the semi-final. Many senior players have been rested for this series, and Keshav Maharaj will lead the side. The squad includes Tony de Zorzi, Jason Smith, Jordan Hermann, and Rubin Hermann, who will be looking to make an impact.
NZ vs SA: Head-to-Head in T20Is
- Matches Played: 20
- New Zealand Won: 8
- South Africa Won: 12
- Tied/No Result: 0
NZ vs SA: Pitch Report
The pitch at Bay Oval usually supports batting. The surface is flat with good bounce, allowing batters to play aggressive shots. The shorter boundaries also help batters score quickly. As the match progresses, spinners may get some assistance if the pitch starts to slow down.
See Also: BAN vs PAK, 3rd ODI: Head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs
NZ vs SA: Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand (NZ):
Mitchell Santner (c), Katene Clarke, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Jayden Lennox, Cole McConchie, Tim Robinson
South Africa (SA):
Keshav Maharaj (c), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, Jason Smith
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