SERIES DECIDER

Series on line as South Africa gear up for pressure game ahead of CT

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AB de Villiers has scored 284 runs in the last three series deciders at an astounding average of 142.
AB de Villiers has scored 284 runs in the last three series deciders at an astounding average of 142. © Cricbuzz

After a whirlwind two weeks, South Africa's tour of New Zealand is back where it started: in Auckland, with references to the World Cup two years ago. If victory in a one-off Twenty20 International (T20I) at the beginning of the trip was talked up as a soothing balm for that disappointment, it will have nothing on Saturday's (March 4) One-Day International (ODI) series decider at the same ground.

That World Cup final is, of course, in the past. What is of more consequence is whether South Africa can prove themselves in a pressure game ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. With only a three-match series against England to come before that tournament, this is their best chance to test that resolve.

South Africa's reputation in must-win games at knockout tournaments precedes itself, but it is worth noting that since the last World Cup they have been involved in four ODI series deciders and won three. Although they lost their first series after the 2015 World Cup, going down 2-1 in Bangladesh, they have subsequently won deciders against New Zealand at home, India away and England at home. That is an encouraging trend that AB de Villiers knows must continue if he is to achieve his main goal of lifting a 50-over trophy.

To win this fifth ODI, the Proteas will need to shake off the experience of the previous match, when Martin Guptill ruffled their bowlers in a way that has rarely happened over the past six months. Guptill's return was expected to give New Zealand a boost, but his unbeaten 180 from 138 balls came as a bit of a shock to everyone. As New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said: "He hit the ball well at training, but I don't think anyone expected that."

South Africa must now work on a game plan for Guptill, but de Villiers suggested that the pitch at the Eden Park is more likely to suit their trump card, Imran Tahir. The legspinner has not had his usual effect in this series, and was completely neutralised by Guptill on Wednesday. De Villiers believes that a quicker pitch will bring Tahir back into the game as it will not allow the batsmen as much time to play him.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will have to reformat their own game plan. They played Jeetan Patel to target South Africa's left-handers in the fourth match - a ploy that earned the wicket of Quinton de Kock in the first over - but Eden Park does not generally favour the spinners. The Black Caps have not played two of them in their three ODIs at the ground since that famous victory over the Proteas.

When: Saturday, March 4. 14:00 local time, 06:30 IST.

Where: Eden Park, Auckland.

What to expect: Like many New Zealand grounds, Eden Park is not generally a high-scoring venue - only four innings in the last decade have exceeded 300. Seam bowlers tend to enjoy the facilities, and with some cloud forecast for the match - and possibly a minor sprinkle - they may find a bit of lateral movement. Mostly the bounce is good and true, allowing the sort of fun contest between bat and ball that made that World Cup semifinal a classic.

Team News

New Zealand: Matt Henry has been added to the New Zealand squad, with the hosts unlikely to play two spinners. Henry will therefore contest Jeetan Patel's place in the side with Lockie Ferguson in what should be the only change.

South Africa: Andile Phehlukwayo has overcome the minor groin niggle that kept him out of the last game, and will return to the South African XI. Who he replaces will be interesting to see. South Africa have rotated their all-rounders throughout the series, but will doubtlessly play what they consider to be their best team for this game. Most likely, either Wayne Parnell or Chris Morris will make way.

What they said:

"I don't think this series has seen the best cricket we are capable of. Tomorrow is an opportunity to play in a big pressure game, and New Zealand are a team who play the big moments really well." - Faf du Plessis.

"We've had a mixed bag when it comes to death bowling in the series. When you've got a player like de Villiers who can hit the ball 360 degrees at will at the end, it is difficult. Coming to a ground with different dimensions, we'll work on a few things today at training. We've seen throughout the series when we haven't got him [early] he has been able to really make the most of those last five or six overs." - Tim Southee.

Did you know?

- Nobody could call AB de Villiers a big-game bottler. Not only did he make 65 not out from 45 balls in that World Cup semifinal, but his record in the three series deciders since then is excellent. In total he has scored 284 runs in three innings off 206 deliveries at an average of 142.

- Eden Park is where Martin Guptill began his ODI career in January 2009 with an unbeaten 122 against the West Indies. That is the second highest score by a New Zealander on this ground - the highest is 140 by Glenn Turner against Sri Lanka way back in 1983.

- The top 25 best bowling performances at Eden Park were all by seam bowlers - no spinner has taken more than three wickets here. Mitchell Starc's 6 for 28 against New Zealand during the 2015 World Cup heads the list of best bowling performances.

Teams (from):

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Dean Brownlie, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, David Miller, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

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