South Africa vs New Zealand - SA Aim Back on Winning Track

Centurion: Despite a 55-run defeat to Sri Lanka, Mickey Arthur said he was pleased with most elements of South Africa's performance.

Shane Bond's return from two years of exile is a couple of matches old but his performances during the Compaq Cup in Sri Lanka would have escaped viewer attention in most parts of the world.

He provides New Zealand's new-ball attack with much-needed hostility and fans worldwide will tune in to see if he still possesses the long run-up and the extra pace that made the best of batsmen hop and duck.

The Graeme Smith that returned to international action after elbow surgery was leaner and fitter than the batsman during the ICC World Twenty20 in June.

He gave South Africa a fast start in the run chase against Sri Lanka, biffing 58 off 44 balls before falling to Ajantha Mendis' first delivery. His team will hope for a more damaging performance from Smith as they aim to qualify from Group B.

New Zealand ponder two-spinner strategy. The South Africans appear assailed by self-doubt on the biggest stage, while New Zealand have an uncanny knack of raising their game for the marquee occasion.

Team news

South Africa will once again be without Herschelle Gibbs, who suffered a side strain, which means Hashim Amla will continue to open the innings with Smith. Amla was bowled for 2 by Angelo Mathews in the first game. South Africa, though, are hopeful Gibbs will be fit for their final group match against England. There are no other likely changes to the XI unless South Africa opt for Makhaya Ntini instead of Wayne Parnell, who conceded 79 runs in ten overs against Sri Lanka.

Squad (likely): Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (wk), Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Roelof van der Merwe, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn.

New Zealand are likely to play seven batsmen with Vettori at No. 8 followed by the tailenders. For their attack, New Zealand will have to choose between playing a second spinner or a third fast bowler. Two of the three bowling positions are likely to be filled by Bond and Daryl Tuffey, which means the final spot will go to one of Jeetan Patel, Kyle Mills and Ian Butler.

Squad (likely): Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Jacob Oram, Neil Broom, Daniel Vettori (capt), Jeetan Patel, Shane Bond, Kyle Mills/Jeetan Patel.

Pitch and conditions
Rain brought an early end to the match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Centurion but the forecast for Thursday is fair, although some cloud is expected. The pitch was flat and offered little in terms of swing and seam although it is unclear whether the same surface will be used tomorrow.

Stats and trivia

• New Zealand have lost 13 and won only two of the 17 ODIs they have played against South Africa in South Africa. The two victories were in the 2003 World Cup and during the 2007 tour.
• Bond has taken 23 wickets at an average of 22.43 in 13 matches in South Africa. Against them, however, Bond's average for his 16 wickets goes up to nearly 32. Vettori also averages an expensive 45.54 for his 11 wickets in South Africa.
• Among New Zealand's current batsmen, Brendon McCullum averages the highest in South Africa. He's scored 237 runs in 10 innings at an average of 26.33.

Match facts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Start time 9:30 local, 7:30 GMT, 19:30 NZ

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