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Hamilton: South Africa will look to start the ODI series on a positive note and avenge their ICC World Cup 2015 semi-final loss against New Zealand.
Their last clash was in August 26, 2015. Since the last World Cup, both sides — among the top 8 teams - have played each other on 3 occasions.
This makes the upcoming five-match ODI series between hosts New Zealand and South Africa a crackerjack of a battle.
AB de Villiers-led South Africa have removed Australia from the No. 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings, ending their 26-month hiatus at the top. They will now be against a side who pose invaluable threat at home
South Africa laid down a marker in the T20 on Friday night at Eden Park. While neither side will dwell too much on a one-off match, there was far less for New Zealand to take from it than for South Africa whose top order batted with intent, then the pace bowlers hustled New Zealand's top order before Imran Tahir added the finishing sparkle.
The Blackcaps went through some tough times after the departure of swashbuckling batsman and skipper Brendon McCullum. They were thrashed in India and Australia in 2016 but gained momentum after returning home.
Kiwis mauled their second visitors Bangladesh across formats, in a packed home season. The visitors met with similar fate to handover the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy to their Trans-Tasman rivals. Hence, New Zealand will be confident hosting an in-form South African side.
On the other hand, Proteas have struck a purple patch. Their fortunes changed after the memorable whitewash against Australia, at home, last year. They continued their rich form to earn their second consecutive whitewash against low-lying Sri Lankans.
Proteas are the numero uno side in ODIs, but will be wary of the fact that all their recent glories have come at home. This will be a litmus test for the tourists to not only upset a formidable unit in their own backyard and register a series win abroad.
After all, being No. 1 is not the ultimate destination. It is an invitation of facing unprecedented challenges.
Teams from:
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor
South Africa: AB de Villiers (c), Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
Stats and trivia
Match facts
Sunday February 19, 2017 (d/n)
Start time 2.00pm local (0100 GMT)
