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CricBattle Daily Fantasy Cricket League Tips

New Zealand v South Africa on March 25

·         After a pretty evenly balanced first test ended in a draw the Proteas came through the second contest with an 8 wicket victory in Wellington last week. After winning the one off T20 and then the ODI Series (3-2) South Africa are on the verge of completing a highly successful tour against useful Black Caps side. Cape Town – Nine Test matches in a row without a stalemate. That is the status of Seddon Park in Hamilton, where South Africa do battle from Saturday in the critical final encounter with New Zealand - and it is naturally a statistic that will comfort the Black Caps just that little bit more. The hosts have to be especially mindful of keeping things “moving along” healthily in the third Test, as they are 1-0 down heading for the pivotal last five days assuming the match goes that far of the series.

·         Best economical pick & Smart pick – The leading wicket-taker by some distance in the series is South Africa’s own main spinner Keshav Maharaj (13 at an average of under 14) who prospered magnificently in the second-Test triumph at Wellington despite the Basin Reserve not being glaringly favorable to his trade. New Zealand have won five and lost four of the last nine Tests at Seddon Park, and included in the quartet of setbacks for them is a nine-wicket thumping at the hands of the very Proteas in March 2012. On that occasion, Vernon Philander had a field day or days. With a game haul of 10 wickets and the man-of-the-match mantle.

·         Top captains & vice captains – The Wellington test saw New Zealand post 268 in their first innings with Henry Nicholls top scoring with 118 and JP Duminy was top SA bowler with 4/47. The Proteas were in trouble at 94/6 in their reply but Bavuma (89) and de Kock (91) turned the innings around and at 359 all out, South Africa had a healthy lead. In the second innings only three New Zealand batsmen made it to double figures and there were 6 wickets for Keshav Maharaj as the Black Caps were bowled out for 171. The victory target was 81 runs and after losing both openers Amla and Duminy took South Africa home.

·         Cautions Pick – New Zealand were missing Ross Taylor and Trent Boult in Wellington and Taylor has also been ruled out of this game whilst Boult remains doubtful. Quinton de Kock is an injury concern for the Proteas so watch the media for news of his well-being.

My XI – Henry Nicholls (Captain), T Bavuma (Vice-Captain), Keshav Maharaj, Vernon Philander, BJ Watling, Jeet Raval, James Neesham, Trent Boult, Dean Elgar, Kane Williamson, Faf du Plessis