The second test match between New Zealand and South Africa gets under way as Thursday night turns into Friday morning and after taking a huge beating in the first contest the Proteas face a massive task to salvage a series draw.
The first test was also staged at Hagley Oval, New Zealand were trading as 8/10 favourites and they obliged for those punters who took the odds on quotes in emphatic fashion. The Black Cape came out on top by an innings and 276 runs and the contest was over by the first session of Day 3.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first and they needed just 49.2 overs to bowl the Proteas out for just 95. Matt Henry returned figures of 7/23 in his 15 overs, Zubayr Hamza (25) was the only batsmen to make it in to the 20's.
New Zealand replied with 482 with Henry Nicholls (105) and with Tom Blundell (96) doing the bulk of the damage whilst Matt Henry, batting at 11, rubbed it in with an unbeaten 58. Olivier was top SA wicket taker with 3.
The Proteas fared no better in their second knock, all out for 111 in 41.4 overs. Southee claimed 5 wickets and Bavuma top scored with 41 as the Black Caps recorded the biggest test match victory margin for a decade.
We stay in Christchurch for the second and final test and on the team news front Trent Boult, who also missed the first test will not be risked,. Kane Williamson is absent and NZ have retained the same squad.
This was how the teams lined up in the first test.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Zubayr Hamza, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Duanne Olivier
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Over the course of the last decade NZ have played 10 test matches at this venue, winning 8, drawing 1 and losing to Australia back in 2016.
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The Betting - 2nd Test Match
At the time of writing New Zealand are 13/25 to win the match with the draw at 5/1 and South Africa are 13/4
Devon Conway is 5/2 to top score for the Black Caps in the first innings and Dean Elgar is 11/4 to do likewise for South Africa
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
South Africa have gone from clinching a series win at home to India to an all mighty hiding in such a short space of time and with the same venues and quite possibly similar conditions you need plenty of imagination to see a way back.
With the openers vulnerable Temba Bavuma is my pick for top SA first innings bat at a reasonable price.
If the bowlers are to have their way again then Tim Southee would be worth a shout in the Man of the Match market.
Bets: Top SA 1st Innings Run Scorer Temba Bavuma at 9/2
Player of the Match, Tim Southee at 11/1
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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