FIVE TALKING POINTS

There will be rain:

The weather forecast for the final test of the ‘summer’ looked dismal earlier this week. Two days of play seemed the best case scenario. That’s brightened somewhat, with the prospect of play starting on time on day one today.

But it appears inevitable the weather will have a say in the outcome. Showers are on the radar this afternoon, with rain expected on days two and three.

The TAB had shortened the odds for a draw from $2.35 to $1.56 during the week before edging back to $1.80 on yesterday, easily the most favoured option. New Zealand’s M*A*S*H unit:

At least Hawkeye Pierce was able to make light of the meatball surgery he had to perform in Korea – it’s been hard to spot much joy among the Black Caps in Hamilton after their two experienced new-ball bowlers both had to cry off injured during the week.

If you’re finding it tough also to imagine a NZ side without both Tim Southee and Trent Boult, you’ve got good reason. The last time it happend was in July 2012. Add in a hobbled Ross Taylor, who limped out of the first test with a calf tear and it’s a notably weaker side for Seddon Park. Who?:

Come on, NZ cricket fans, be honest – how many of you knew of Keshav Maharaj before the test series began?

Hmm . . . don’t believe you. All the attention around South African spin prior to the five-day matches was on leggie Imran Tahir. Then when the test series started, Black Caps fans were only concerned with Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel.

Two tests later, the visitors are one up and left-armer Maharaj has 13 wickets in two tests at 13.92 to easily be the most important player in the series to date. Under pressure:

This is New Zealand’s last test match for months, so plenty can happen on the selection front between times. But there’s still a few players under the selection spotlight, notably the all-round duo of Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme.

Neesham hasn’t made enough runs as the ‘‘batting allrounder’’ at six, and while de Grandhomme has achieved more with the ball his batting hasn’t been convincing.

The squad callup of Scott Kuggeleijn for Hamilton shows there’s heat on the duo, while Corey Anderson has begun bowling again. Better stats please . . . stat!:

Jeet Raval has averaged 56 while Tom Latham’s mark is 8 in this series.

But how much of that is down to simple luck? It seems Raval has had more than his fair share of good fortune in terms of dropped catches, and edges that have fallen short or flown past the slip cordon. Latham, in contrast, seems to get snared whenever he flicks one near a fielder. It’s one reason Raval is seen as a success and Latham a failure against the Proteas.

Yet it seems crazy that in a game that generates a swag of statistics, we don’t have a metric for such matters.