Check our Dream 11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st Test on February 4th
New Zealand will host South Africa in the 2-matches Test series which gets started on February 4th at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The 2nd and Final Test is staged at Seddon Park, Hamilton which begins on February 13th.
New Zealand are playing their full-strength squad following the return of Kane Williamson who recovered from injury. South Africa has opted to send their fringe players for the tour with their regulars being occupied in the SA20 League which brings financial stability to the board.
“Do your thing!” – Hear from Rachin Ravindra about his role in the middle order ahead of the start of the Tegel Test Series against South Africa tomorrow at Bay Oval. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/rNWoACnUJI
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 3, 2024
Match Details:
New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Test
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Date & Time: February 4-8, at 3:30 AM IST and 11:00 AM Local Time
Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
What is the Pitch Report for NZ vs SA, 1st Test?
Pacers will get more benefit from the surface having said the batters can score runs if they hold the crease for longer duration. The possibility of the game going to the 5th day is less.
Recent form:
New Zealand: Won, Lost, Won, Won, Won
South Africa: Lost, Won, Won, Won, Draw
NZ vs SA, 1st Test Probable Winners:
New Zealand are expected to win this match.
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs SA, 1st Test?
New Zealand
Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips / Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee (c), Neil Wagner, Matt Henry
South Africa
Raynard van Tonder, Neil Brand (c), Keegan Petersen, David Bedingham, Khaya Zondo / Ruan de Swardt, Zubayr Hamza, Clyde Fortuin (wk), Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt / Shaun von Berg, Mihlali Mpongwana / Tshepo Moreki
The first contest for the Tangiwai Shield starts tomorrow at Bay Oval! Follow play LIVE in NZ with @TVNZ DUKE, TVNZ+, @SENZ_Radio and @TheACCnz. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/BcO2k8X66f
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 3, 2024
Injury Updates:
New Zealand: Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell, and Kyle Jamieson have all recovered from injuries and are included in the squad.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for NZ vs SA, 1st Test?
Top Pick – Batter
Kane Williamson has recovered from the injury which is a good sign for the New Zealand management. The former Test skipper has scored 8263 runs in 96 Test matches at an average of 54.36 which includes 29 centuries and 33 half-centuries.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Neil Brand has an excellent track record in domestic cricket, scoring 2906 runs in 51 first-class matches at an average of 39.27 with the highest score of 159 and also picking up 72 wickets.Top Pick – Bowler
Duanne Olivier has the highest number of Test caps among the current South African squad. In his 15 Tests, he picked up 59 wickets with the best figures of 6 for 37.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Tom Latham has an abundance of experience in the longest format. The 31-year-old Southpaw has scored 5201 runs in 76 Tests at an average of 40.63 with the best score of 264*.
X-Factor:
Tim Southee is the 2nd leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in Tests. The current New Zealand skipper has 374 scalps in 96 matches with the best figures of 7 for 64.
Record figures! Last time the @ProteasMenCSA visited New Zealand, Matt Henry recorded the equal third best innings figures for the team in Test cricket with 7-23 at Hagley Oval. The Tegel Test Series starts on Sunday at Bay Oval. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/AboA95rX71
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 2, 2024
What are the Fantasy Suggested teams for NZ vs SA, 1st Test?
1. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Raynard van Tonder, David Bedingham, Daryl Mitchell, Neil Brand (vc), Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Dane Paterson, Duanne Olivier
2. Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Keegan Petersen, Zubayr Hamza, Daryl Mitchell (vc), Neil Brand, Neil Wagner, Dane Paterson, Duanne Olivier
The dream backyard? Mitch Santner joined @SevenSharp and @benhurleycom to check out a very impressive backyard pitch in Hamilton. Catch the full story on Seven Sharp this evening. #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/7vyyYprt76
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 2, 2024
Pre-Match Analysis:
New Zealand are set for their first Test series of the summer. They welcome the second-string South African unit for a couple of Tests which are part of the ICC World Test Championship. Their last Test series was away from home where they have drawn 1-1 against Bangladesh. They have made subtle changes to their squad from the Bangladesh tour with no place for Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi based on the conditions. After a slump in his form batter Henry Nicholls got the axe from the squad while Rachin Ravindra who didn’t play a Test in Bangladesh has been retained in the side as Glenn Phillips. After his strong domestic performances, pacer William O’Rourke has been rewarded with a Test call-up that will be only for the 2nd Test. They never won a Test series against South Africa and it’s the best time to achieve the milestone against an inexperienced unit.
With Cricket South Africa prioritizing SA20 over New Zealand Test tour brings an excellent opportunity for the country’s top first-class players as a result eight of them have made it to the squad for the first time. Neil Brand is set to make history as he will lead Proteas on his debut game. Khaya Zondo, Zubayr Hamza, Dane Piedt, Duanne Olivier, David Bedingham, Keegan Peterson, and Dane Peterson are the seven players in the current squad with prior experience of Playing Tests. Edward Moore has been drafted into the squad as a replacement for Tony de Zorzi who signed a deal with Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20. The current set of players is expecting a good show against a strong New Zealand side.
