Best chance for NZ youngsters to spring surprise
A preview of the first South Africa-New Zealand Twenty20 in Durban
Match facts
December 21, 2012Start time 1800 (1600 GMT)
Big Picture
The aim of this Twenty20 series was to provide a different festive spirit, if Cricket South Africa (CSA) are to be believed. They doused the flames of the furore they caused when they cancelled the traditional Boxing Day Test and promised that three T20s in a week would provide more entertainment given the opposition. (Don't tell anyone but they were also hoping for more money, which is unlikely now that the national broadcaster has made CSA settle for a significantly smaller fee).Form guide
South Africa LLLWW (Completed games, most recent first)New Zealand TLTLW
In the spotlight
The much-hyped, recently turned 20-year-old Quinton de Kock will get the opportunity to live up to expectation. De Kock played for South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup this year and has been touted as the long-term wicketkeeping option. He has been inconsistent for Lions but flashes of brilliance have seen him get the nod. In the recently completed domestic one-day cup, de Kock scored one century but none of his other innings yielded more than 41 runs. His talent is not in doubt though.Team news
South Africa could play all four of their new faces in the first match of the series. Quinton de Kock has been confirmed as the wicketkeeper in AB de Villiers' absence. Henry Davids is certain to open the batting with Richard Levi. Although Faf du Plessis would like to bat up the order, his experience will be needed in the middle. Chris Morris will contend for the allrounder's spot with Ryan McLaren while the bowling attack will comprise of two spinners, with left-armer Aaron Phangiso likely to debut, and Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Rory Kleinveldt vying for a place. Dale Steyn will feature in the first match but may be rested thereafter.Stats and Trivia
- Brendon McCullum is the leading run-scorer in T20 international cricket with 1656 runs from 54 matches. He is also the only batsman to have scored two T20I centuries.
- South Africa do not have any of their top nine leading run-scorers in T20 cricket in the current squad. Graeme Smith, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Herschelle Gibbs, Loots Bosman, Hashim Amla and Mark Boucher are not part of the set-up for various reasons. Richard Levi is at No. 10 with 231 runs.
- Nathan McCullum is New Zealand's most successful T20 bowler with 40 scalps at an average of 17.52. Morne Morkel is South Africa's leader with 39 wickets at 17.84.
Quotes
"I think the pitch might have changed in nature. Maybe it is not as quick and bouncy as we are used to, maybe it's a little bit slower and the spinners seem to play more of a role. It has also been quite hot, so maybe it will be a little bit drier as well."South Africa's new T20 coach, Russell Domingo , thinks the Kingsmead strip might not live up to its reputation of being a green mamba
Shane Bond, New Zealand's bowling coach, believes the shortest format will level the playing field
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent