New Zealand face tough challenge
Newly-crowned International Cricket Council knockout champions New Zealand face a tough challenge when they play South Africa in the first of six limited-overs internationals in Potchefstroom Friday.
The fitness of all-rounder Chris Cairns shapes as a key factor. Cairns hit a match-winning century Sunday when New Zealand beat India in the ICC knockout final in Nairobi, Kenya, but struggled throughout the tournament with an injured right knee.
A scan in Johannesburg revealed no major damage and a decision on his fitness is expected on the day of the game.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming took a realistic view of his side's status following their shock win in Nairobi, which netted the side 340,000 dollars in prize-money, the biggest purse in cricket history.
"It doesn't mean we are the best side in the world," said Fleming, "it was very much an on-the-day thing."
But the triumph will give the Black Caps confidence against a powerful South African side, long regarded as one of the best one-day sides in the world.
South Africa won a close series 3-2 in New Zealand early last year and beat the Kiwis on the way to winning the Singapore Challenge tournament in August.
Friday's match will be the first international game played at the North West Stadium in Potchefstroom, a mining and university town about 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.
The playing surface is regarded as good for batting but the side fielding second in the day-night game could have problems with dew.
In a domestic 45-overs match last Friday the strong Western Province team could not defend a total of 258 against home side North West and claimed dew was a factor.
Five of six previous matches at the ground, however, were won by the side batting first.
South African opening bowler Roger Telemachus was ruled out of the game when he was banned for one match after barging into Indian batsman Rahul Dravid during South Africas semifinal defeat in Nairobi.
The teams:
South Africa (from): Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher (vice-captain), Shafiek Abrahams, Nicky Boje, Daryll Cullinan, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes.
New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Geoff Allott, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan, Chris Nevin, Shayne OConnor, Adam Parore, Craig Spearman, Scott Styris, Glen Sulzberger, Daryl Tuffey, Roger Twose, Brooke Walker and Paul Wiseman.
Umpires: Dave Orchard and Rudi Koertzen (both SA). TV umpire: Danny Becker (SA).
Mail Cricket Editor
