{"id":9238,"date":"2024-02-13T05:20:57","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T16:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/?p=9238"},"modified":"2024-02-13T05:20:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T16:20:57","slug":"history-beckons-for-black-caps-in-hamilton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/?p=9238","title":{"rendered":"History beckons for Black Caps in Hamilton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Black Caps chase history in Hamilton<\/p>\n

In a match up that dates back to 1931, the Black Caps are in a prime position to finally win a test series against South Africa, which is being contested for the inaugural Tangiwai Shield.<\/p>\n

New Zealand have met the Proteas in 17 previous series, managing four draws and 13 losses.<\/p>\n

Anything other than victory against a weakened Proteas outfit would be a bitter disappointment, particularly with Australia on the horizon.<\/p>\n

Skipper Tim Southee said the South African’s should provide a sterner challenge in the second test, with many having made their debut in Tauranga.<\/p>\n

“When you have a hitout against them, you know a little bit more, but also they have played against us now so they’ll be better for having had more of a close up look of what we offer as well.”<\/p>\n

With a dominant 281-run win in Mount Maunganui and a chance to break the historic hoodoo, Southee said they will not alter their approach.<\/p>\n

“We obviously had a great week last week. We had a few days off between the tests and the guys were able to get away for a little bit and then we got together as a test group and the focus shifts to this week. Our preparation doesn’t change no matter who you play or what test match it is.”<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/p>\n

Will Young is set to return to the test side.\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0PHOTOSPORT<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The match marks the first test at Seddon Park since 2020 but Southee said they have seen enough from the shorter form to know it’s a decent deck.<\/p>\n

“There hasn’t been a test here for a number of years but a lot of white ball cricket, which has offered up a pretty good surface. This year it’s had a bit of pace and bounce in it but it also tends to be a little bit more humid here in Hamilton so there is a little bit of swing.<\/p>\n

“That’s the beauty of test cricket, the pitch changes over the five days so you pick a side that’s going to be most effective over those five days.”<\/p>\n

The Black Caps are also looking to blood some new talent with seamer Will O’Rourke set to make his test debut.<\/p>\n

Southee said though they have yet to settle on final bowling attack, the 22-year old is a likely inclusion.<\/p>\n

“He’s got a great head on his shoulders. He’s a he’s a pretty mature guy and he’s had a little taste of international cricket already so he sort of knows what what to expect.”<\/p>\n

Will Young will also replace the injured Daryl Mitchell in the middle order.<\/p>\n

Southee said another win would give the side great momentum ahead of the Australian series at the end of the month.<\/p>\n

“Test wins aren’t easy and it was great to sit back in the in the changing room and and have a beer and reflect on the four days that we played. And those are some of the best best memories where from your career.<\/p>\n

“It’s not something that we’ve done a lot against South Africa obviously a proud sporting nation and to be able to get one over them was very pleasing.”<\/p>\n

The veteran seamer said the side is relishing playing more test cricket on their own turf.<\/p>\n

“For us it’s not something we have a lot of especially here at home, so to have two series reasonably close together and two great oppositions in South Africa and Australia is pretty awesome.”<\/p>\n

\"South<\/p>\n

South Africa captain Neil Brand batting during the first test against New Zealand.\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0Andrew Cornaga\/www.photosport.nz<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

For South Africa, the side is desperate to leave Aotearoa with a win.<\/p>\n

Skipper Neil Brand said the Proteas played well for 65 per cent of the first test, but crucial moments, such as dropping centurions Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra, cost them.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think we are miles away. We just have to do the right things for longer especially with the bat, one thing in particular is losing two wickets at a time which isn’t ideal in test cricket and just keep things simple.”<\/p>\n

Brand said the Hamilton track should suit his bowlers.<\/p>\n

“Especially our seam bowlers, hopefully we can put it to good use.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Tangiwai Shield\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0Alan Lee \/ www.photosport.nz<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

-RNZ<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Black Caps chase history in Hamilton In a match up that dates back to 1931, the Black Caps are in a prime position to finally win a test series against South Africa, which is being contested for the inaugural Tangiwai Shield. New Zealand have met the Proteas in 17 previous series, managing four draws and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":9239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[222,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","category-sports"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9238"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9240,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9238\/revisions\/9240"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}