Proteas wary of Kiwi threat
Wellington, Oct. 20: South Africa open a one- day series against New Zealand on Tuesday looking to strike a psychological blow against the Black Caps ahead of the Cricket World Cup early next year.
The three- match series, which begins in the North Island’s picturesque Mount Maunganui, will also give the Proteas a chance to familiarise themselves with local conditions in preparation for the World Cup pool matches they will play at New Zealand venues.
South Africa skipper AB de Villiers said the tourists would not underestimate New Zealand, either in the upcoming series or the World Cup, when he believes home advantage means Brendon McCullum’s men will rank among the tournament favourites.
“I wouldn’t call them dark horses, I’d say one of the favourites,” he said. “They’re always a very competitive ODI team. Playing on their home grounds in their country, they’ll be even more competitive.”
The World Cup is a glaring omission from South Africa’s trophy cabinet and de Villiers said the New Zealand series, and an ODI series in Australia next month, provided the chance to sharpen his team’s skills for the tournament, particularly in the field.
“It’s turning games around, doing special stuff that I see other teams do,” he said. “I don’t believe we are in the top two fielding teams in the world and you need that in a World Cup.”
De Villiers said the New Zealand and Australia series would also give selectors an opportunity to assess fringe players and allow the Proteas to send a message to two sides he sees as World Cup threats.