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Trust will be put in Josh Hazlewood over his fitness while Mitchell Starc unlikely to be rotated

AAP30-Dec-2021Australia’s selectors will put their faith in Josh Hazlewood’s judgement as they weigh up difficult choices with five in-form quicks ahead of the fourth Ashes Test.Hazlewood got through around 35 minutes of gentle bowling in the MCG nets on Thursday, still appearing in some discomfort on return from a side strain.The session was Hazlewood’s first bowling in almost three weeks, after hurting his side in the Ashes opener at the Gabba and missing the next two Tests.With the series already wrapped up in Australia’s favour there is some argument that Hazlewood should be given more time to recuperate. But chief selector George Bailey said his panel would not hold Hazlewood back if fit.Related

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“I’ve got pretty good faith in Hoff knowing his own body and trusting his own body,” Bailey said. “He’ll build up as he would before any sort of Test. He’ll talk a lot with [assistant] Andrew McDonald and [physio] David Beakley to see how he’s going. If Hoff’s confident and he says he’s right to go I think we back him in. He’s earned that trust.”Bailey also indicated that Australia’s innings victory in Melbourne meant Mitchell Starc would not sit out Sydney, despite being the only quick not to miss a Test this summer.Starc was required to bowl just 25 overs at the MCG and Australia’s early win gave him day four and five off without even bowling in the nets and a week between Tests.”Your plans are constantly changing because you’ve got no idea how many overs the bowlers are going to bowl,” Bailey said. “So you’ve got to stay pretty fluid around that. Today would have been would have been day five. So our quicks, in particular, not having as heavy a workload as they had in Adelaide and a couple of extra days off will all work in their favour.”Josh Hazlewood has not featured since the first Test•Getty Images

Captain Pat Cummins, who missed the second test due to a Covid scare, is one paceman assured of playing. If fellow regulars Starc and Hazlewood both play, it means there will be no room for debutant Scott Boland despite his stunning 6 for 7 performance on debut at the MCG.Jhye Richardson would also miss out after sitting out the Melbourne Test with minor leg soreness following his match-winning five-wicket haul in Adelaide.At best there could be room for one of them, creating a tough situation for selectors given Richardson was above Boland in the pecking order before Melbourne.”That’s a headache. It’s a great headache,” Bailey said. “[There are] obviously some hard conversations to be had at some stage.”The other spanner in the works could still be Mitchell Swepson, if Australia see a turning wicket in Sydney and decide to play two spinners, with allrounder Cameron Green as the third seamer.”We’ve got no doubt that, whether it’s at the SCG or whether it’s sometime in the future, that Swepo is ready,” Bailey said. “We’d love nothing more for him to get an opportunity but it will probably be conditions-dependent.”

The last few months have been unusual and a little unfortunate for Arsenal.

The North Londoners didn’t go all out in the summer transfer window like many thought they would, instead adding Neto, Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling and Mikel Merino to their ranks, and the football on the pitch hasn’t been up to their usual standards either, which has seen them fall nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been more porous at the back and less cutting in attack than they were last year, and while Calafiori has looked good in the moments he has played, Sterling and Merino have been more than a little rusty.

Arsenal’s summer 2023 business

Incomings (Fee)

Outgoings (Fee)

Calafiori (£42m)

Smith Rowe (£34m)

Merino (£31.6m)

Nketiah (£30m)

Raya (£27m)

Ramsdale (£25m)

Sterling (Loan)

Vieira (Loan)

Neto (Loan)

Elneny (Released)

Okonkwo (Released)

Tavares (Loan + £5m)

Nelson (Loan)

Lokonga (Loan + £10m)

Hein (Loan)

Soares (Released)

Fortunately, recent reports have now linked the club with another star midfielder who’d add more quality to the Gunners’ squad and help the former Real Sociedad ace get back to his best from last year.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from the Independent’s Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.

Delaney has revealed that Arteta wants to add another six to his team and that the club view the Spanish international, who still has a €60m – £50m – release clause in his contract, as an ideal candidate.

Moreover, while the 25-year-old turned down the chance to join Liverpool in the summer following pleas from La Real not to follow the swathe of other players that left the Basque outfit, the report claims he was promised that should a suitable offer come next summer, he’d be allowed to depart.

It could prove a complicated and expensive transfer to get over the line, but given Zubimendi’s ability, it is worth pursuing, especially as he could help Merino get back to his best.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse Why Zubimendi would help Merino

Okay, so let’s get straight to the point with this one, as it’s relatively straightforward.

The primary reason that signing Zubimendi would help Merino get back to his best is that his best performances came in a Sociedad shirt while he was playing alongside the 25-year-old at the base of midfield.

For example, according to FBref, which compared players in similar positions across La Liga last season, the Gunners’ newest recruit ranked in the top 1% of midfielders for aerial duels won, the top 11% for clearances, the top 12% for tackles, the top 15% for non-penalty goals and progressive passes all per 90.

Moreover, he racked up a tally of eight goals and five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions and, according to Squawka, was the only player to win over 300 duels across Europe’s top seven leagues, demonstrating that his dominance was not limited to just Spain.

The 28-year-old flourished like this as number eight alongside his younger teammate in the six role, whom Spain manager Luis de la Fuente dubbed the “best CM in the world.”

While that might be a tad hyperbolic, his underlying numbers stack up brilliantly against the North Londoners’ current options in his role, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.

For example, according to FBref, the San Sebastián-born star isn’t blown away in any metric and comes out ahead in more than he doesn’t, including actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, shots on target, passes into the final third, live passes, blocks, successful take-ons, carries and aerial duels won, all per 90.

Zubimendi vs Partey vs Rice

Statistics per 90

Zubimendi

Partey

Rice

Progressive Carries

1.76

0.37

2.61

Progressive Passes

7.28

6.02

6.52

Passing Accuracy

86.2%

87.0%

80.7%

Key Passes

0.72

0.65

1.52

Passes into the Final Third

6.56

4.26

4.24

Shot-Creating Actions

2.00

1.85

3.35

Tackles

2.56

2.96

1.52

Interceptions

1.12

1.20

0.98

Successful Take-Ons

0.72

0.37

0.65

Carries

35.4

34.0

28.6

Ball Recoveries

4.16

3.89

5.11

Aerial Duels Won

1.76

1.20

0.87

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

Ultimately, while it wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should look to sign Zubimendi in 2025, as he’s already shown an ability to work with and get the most out of Merino in the past, and when compared to the Gunners current midfield options, he looks every bit as talented, if not more so in certain metrics.

Related Arsenal must finally sell £110k-p/w flop who was their "obvious captain"

The experienced international has been painfully unlucky at Arsenal.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 14, 2024

اختتم منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، بقيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، تدريباته مساء الإثنين على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، استعدادًا للمواجهة المرتقبة أمام منتخب سيراليون.

المباراة المقرر إقامتها في التاسعة مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من التصفيات الأفريقية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

ويدخل الفراعنة اللقاء وهم في صدارة المجموعة برصيد 13 نقطة، بعدما خاض 5 مباريات حقق خلالها 4 انتصارات وتعادلًا واحدًا، ليقترب بقوة من حسم التأهل إلى المرحلة النهائية من التصفيات.

تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام سيراليون في تصفيات كأس العالم.. صلاح ومرموش يقودان الهجوم

وحرص عدد من المسؤولين على حضور المران الأخير لدعم اللاعبين قبل المواجهة المهمة، حيث تواجد كل من الأستاذ محمد يحيى لطفي، رئيس الشركة المتحدة للرياضة، والأستاذ خالد الدرندلي، نائب رئيس اتحاد الكرة، والأستاذ طارق أبو العينين، عضو مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم.

ويسعى حسام حسن لمواصلة سلسلة اللا هزيمة في المباريات الرسمية منذ توليه قيادة المنتخب، حيث نجح في تجنب الخسارة في 9 مباريات متتالية، بين تصفيات كأس الأمم الأفريقية 2025 والتصفيات الحالية المؤهلة لمونديال 2026، محققًا 6 انتصارات و3 تعادلات حتى الآن.

وكان منتخب مصر قد حقق انتصارًا ثمينًا في الجولة الماضية من تصفيات كأس العالم أمام إثيوبيا بنتيجة (2-0)، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب الملعب العربي الزاولي في المغرب، مما عزز من صدارته للمجموعة.

ويطمح الفراعنة بقيادة العميد حسام حسن إلى تحقيق فوز جديد أمام سيراليون، من أجل مواصلة التقدم بثبات نحو حلم التأهل إلى كأس العالم 2026، وحسم إحدى بطاقات العبور إلى المرحلة النهائية من التصفيات.

Nottingham Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis are interested in signing an international left-back who will cost more than £12 million, according to a new report.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be trying to get back to winning ways when the Premier League returns this weekend, as they suffered defeat to Newcastle United last time out.

Related Nottingham Forest eye move to sign £25m int'l defender ahead of Newcastle

Nottingham Forest are among a host of Premier League clubs chasing a defender.

Posts 1 ByBrett Worthington Nov 21, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

It has been an excellent campaign for the Reds so far, and it is unknown what they could potentially achieve if they keep picking up the results that they are doing. The busy Christmas period isn’t far away, but that also means the January transfer window is close, and Forest do have their eye on one or two players.

It has recently emerged that Forest are interested in signing James McAtee from Manchester City in January. The midfielder is struggling for regular minutes, and City could be open to a sale should they receive a fee of £20 million or more. But the Reds are not the only side keeping a close eye on McAtee ahead of January, as plenty of other teams from England and abroad are also interested.

As well as McAtee, the Reds are also eyeing up a move to sign defender Joel Ordonez, who is also wanted by Aston Villa. This could be an expensive purchase for Nuno, as Club Brugge is looking to get around £25 million for their player should he leave in the New Year. Ordonez could be a good option, but Forest also have their eye on a defender who could cost a lot less, and he can play in multiple positions.

Nottingham Forest interested in deal to sign left-back who will cost £12m+

According to Africa Foot, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague. The 19-year-old, who was originally a left-winger but has been playing as a left-back and centre-back, has been with the Czech side since January.

Diouf is an important player for Slavia Prague, as he’s started 18 of the club’s 21 games in all competitions this season. The defender, who has won one cap for his national side, Senegal, has really impressed in this campaign, as he’s already got five goals to his name.

Those performances have put him on the radar of Forest, who, according to this report, are among the clubs in the picture to sign Diouf. As well as the Reds, Brentford are also interested from the Premier League, as Diouf could leave the Czech side in the New Year.

El Hadji Malick Diouf’s 2024/25 Czech League stats

Apps

13

Goals

5

Assists

2

Big chances created

7

Tackles per game

1.2

Clearances per game

1.2

It is claimed that Slavia Prague would only consider a sale of their defender should they receive a fee of €15 million, which is roughly £12.4 million. Diouf is under contract at the club until the summer of 2028, so they are in no rush to move the player on. Forest and Brentford are being described as “serious competitors” to sign Diouf, but La Liga side Villarreal are also keen on landing the Senegal international.

Wristspinner Ravi Bishnoi receives maiden call-up; batter Deepak Hooda in for the 50-over leg

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2022

Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav are back in the Indian team•BCCI

Rohit Sharma is fit again and will lead India in the home series against West Indies starting February 6. The series comprises three ODIs and three T20Is and will see the return of Kuldeep Yadav as well. The left-arm wristspinner has not played any kind of competitive cricket for the last six months, but India are in dire need of wicket-taking options in the middle overs and he has a record of being just that. On the batting front, Rajasthan’s Deepak Hooda has received a maiden ODI call-up.Among the various issues that came up during India’s 3-0 loss to South Africa was the ineffectiveness of their spinners. R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Jayant Yadav were only able to take a combined three wickets in 59 overs, prompting head coach Rahul Dravid to say that middle-overs (11-40) bowling was “an area in the game we have been behind a little bit.”.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

So now, it appears India are going back to a strategy that worked rather well for them between 2017 and 2019 when they deployed Kuldeep in tandem with Chahal and capitalised on the fact that not many batters were capable of picking wristspin out of the bowler’s hand. Recent results – including the poor show at the T20 World Cup – have forced the selectors to look for more x-factor players, which works out well for the 21-year-old wrong’un specialist Ravi Bishnoi. The newly-minted Lucknow Super Giant spinner has broken into the India squad for the first time. He has 24 wickets from 23 matches in the IPL with an average of 25.25 and economy rate of 6.96.India changes

ODI squad In: Rohit Sharma, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan

Out: Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer, Jayant Yadav

T20I squad In: Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar

Out: R Ashwin, Ruturaj Gaikwad

Vice-captain KL Rahul will miss the first ODI but will be available for the rest of the series. Senior fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been rested. Bhuvneshwar Kumar only finds a place in the T20I set-up. Washington Sundar, having recovered from Covid-19, takes his place as first-choice fingerspinner, displacing Ashwin. Avesh Khan, who had a stellar IPL season in 2021, features in both squads.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

All those players are at Rohit’s disposal once more now that he has recovered from a hamstring injury that he sustained just days before the Indian team’s departure to South Africa in December. It was an untimely injury for the 34-year-old, who had been appointed full-time white-ball captain and is also the front-runner to succeed Virat Kohli as Test captain. The decision is likely to be taken by the selectors in coordination with the BCCI top brass ahead of the two-match series against Sri Lanka in March.It is understood that Hardik Pandya, who last played for India during the T20 World Cup, is not yet fit enough to play a full role as seam-bowling allrounder. He has said as much to the selectors and is hoping to use the upcoming IPL to see whether his body can handle those workloads again. Hardik was appointed captain of the Ahmedabad IPL franchise which bought him for INR 15 crore (USD 2.02 million approx.)Hooda appears to be the only left-field pick in either squad. While he scored a century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy pre-quarter-finals against Karnataka last month, his overall record in that tournament was a bit underwhelming: 198 runs at an average of 33 while batting in the middle order. He had a better time of it in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s in November, scoring 294 runs in six games at a strike rate of 168. The 26-year-old joined Rajasthan in July 2021 after a troubled few months with Baroda where he was removed from the squad on grounds of indiscipline.Recently the BCCI revised the venues for the West Indies series scheduling the ODI leg in Ahmedabad on February 6, 9 and 11 with the T20s to be played in Kolkata on February 16, 18 and 20.

أعلن البلجيكي كيفين دي بروين رحيله عن صفوف ناديه مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، بعد 10 سنوات قضاها رفقة النادي.

وينتهي عقد دي بروين مع مانشستر سيتي في 30 يونيو المقبل، ولم يصل اللاعب لاتفاق لتجديد عقده.

في منشور على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي بدأ بعبارة “عزيزي مانشستر”، وأفاد دي بروين: “ستكون هذه أشهري الأخيرة كلاعب في مانشستر سيتي”.

وأضاف: “ليس من السهل كتابة أي شيء عن هذا، ولكن كلاعبي كرة قدم، نعلم جميعًا أن هذا اليوم سيأتي لا محالة، لقد حان ذلك اليوم، وأنت تستحق أن تسمع مني أولًا”.

وتابع دي بروين: “هذه المدينة، هذا النادي، هؤلاء الناس… منحوني كل شيء، لم يكن أمامي خيار سوى رد الجميل! وتخيلوا ماذا حدث، لقد فزنا بكل شيء”.

وأتم: “شئنا أم أبينا، حان وقت الوداع… لكل قصة نهاية، لكن هذا بالتأكيد كان الفصل الأفضل، دعونا نستمتع بهذه اللحظات الأخيرة معًا”.

ويُعد دي بروين اللاعب الأكثر تتويجًا بالألقاب في تاريخ مانشستر سيتي، حيث فاز بـ 16 لقبًا منذ انضمامه من فولفسبورج عام 2015.

وعانى دي بروين من مشاكل الإصابات التي لحقت به موسمًا بعد الآخر خاصة في السنوات الأخيرة.

ويرتبط دي بروين باهتمام من أندية الدوري السعودي، ومن المرجح انضمامه لأحدها في الصيف.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Portuguesa segue fazendo uma campanha irretocável na Série A2 do Campeonato Paulista. A Lusa venceu na última quarta-feira (16), a equipe do Juventus, por 1 a 0 e manteve a sua série invicta na competição estadual. A Portuguesa lidera o campeonato com 19 pontos ganhos. O goleiro Thomazella, um dos destaques da Portuguesa, falou sobre a invencibilidade do time.

– Temos uma equipe muito experiente. O nosso grupo está muito fechado em busca desse acesso, isso tem sido mostrado dentro dos jogos. O nosso treinador é bastante capacitado e é peça fundamental nessa campanha. Essa sequência invicta nos traz uma confiança muito grande, mas sabemos que não podemos relaxar, temos que manter o mesmo nível de atuação nas partidas para seguir pontuando – disse o goleiro da Lusa.

Muito da boa campanha da Portuguesa vem da sua defesa. Em sete jogos, a Lusa foi vazada em apenas uma partida, contra o São Caetano, quando venceu por 2 a 1. Líder da defesa, Thomazella destaca a ajuda de todosdo elenco.

– Graças a Deus temos feito uma competição muito segura. A gente vem enfrentando fortes adversários, mas estamos nos saindo muito bem. Esse trabalho não é apenas do goleiro, por isso, eu quero destacar todo o nosso time, desde os atacantes. A nossa defesa é muito forte e experiente, isso tem feito muita diferença – concluiu o arqueiro da Portuguesa.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico do Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, deu sequência ao que vem fazendo nesta edição do Campeonato Paulista: revezar e testar jogadores. Na vitória sobre o Guarani por 2 a 0, no Allianz Parque, ontem, o português mandou a campo jogadores considerados reservas, mesclados com titulares. O desempenho coletivo agradou.

+ Veja o caminho do Palmeiras no Campeonato Paulista 2022

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAbel Ferreira elogia atuação de Rafael Navarro no Palmeiras: ‘Acreditamos nele’Palmeiras06/03/2022Palmeiras‘Coisas que nos fazem repensar’, diz Abel sobre permanência no Palmeiras após casos de violênciaPalmeiras06/03/2022PalmeirasAbel minimiza sequência de clássicos do Palmeiras no Paulistão: ‘Vamos nos preparar igual a todo jogo’Palmeiras06/03/2022

Único invicto do Estadual, a comissão técnica do Verdão, contra o Bugre, optou por preservar Murilo, dando lugar a Kuscevic na zaga. Ele formou dupla titular com o capitão Gustavo Gómez. Além disso, Giovani, Gabriel Veron e Rafael Navarro entraram como titulares no araque.

– Nós defendemos bem para atacar melhor. Mas se atacarmos melhor, defendemos bem também. Se finalizar 23 vezes, vamos conceder menos ao rival. O que fazemos é finalizar nossas jogadores, o que não finalizamos os jogadores tem que ter um comportamento coletivo de pressionar o mais rápido possível pós-perda (da bola), é fruto do comprometimento deles – disse Abel Ferreira.

– Dá gosto ver esse padrão de jogo. É fruto de trabalho coletivo, dos jogadores, que são protagonistas, eles que fazem um bom treinador – completou o treinador.

Com apenas oito jogos disputados, o Palmeiras tem agora 20 pontos na liderança do Grupo C. O Alviverde é o dono da melhor campanha geral do Estadual, com 83,3% de aproveitamento.

continua após a publicidade

قاد جناح نادي إنتر ميامي، ليونيل ميسي، فريقه لريمونتادا بنتيجة 3-1 على حساب لوس أنجلوس في إياب دور الثمانية من بطولة دوري أبطال كونكاكاف.

وأقيمت مباراة إنتر ميامي ولوس أنجلوس على ملعب “Chase” بقيادة الحكم المكسيكي الدولي، سيزار راموس.

وشهد اللقاء مشاركة ثلاثي برشلونة السابق، ليونيل ميسي، لويس سواريز وجوردي ألبا.

وصدم لوس أنجلوس أصحاب الأرض مبكرًا بالدقيقة التاسعة بهدف عن طريق، آرون لونج، لتزداد مهمة إنتر ميامي الذي كان خاسرًا في الذهاب 1-0 صعوبة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. منافس الأهلي في كأس العالم للأندية يستهدف التعاقد مع دي بروين شاهد أهداف مباراة إنتر ميامي ولوس أنجلوس في دوري أبطال كونكاكاف

ولكن أدرك ليونيل ميسي التعادل في الدقيقة 35، لينتهي الشوط الأول بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.

في الشوط الثاني، استطاع نواه آلان أن يسجل هدف التقدم لصالح إنتر ميامي في الدقيقة 61 ليكون التقدم الأول لكتيبة المدرب، خافيير ماسكيرانو.

ومع الوصول إلى الدقيقة 84، احتسب الحكم المكسيكي ركلة جزاء من أجل إنتر ميامي لينفذها ميسي ويسجل الهدف الثالث.

ليتأهل إنتر ميامي إلى الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال كونكاكاف بعد الفوز ذهاب إيابًا بنتيجة 3-2، ليتلقي بنادي فانكوفر وايتكابس في المربع الذهبي من جولتين يومي 23 و30 أبريل الحالي.

الجدير بالذكر أن إنتر ميامي هو منافس الأهلي في افتتاح بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 والتي ستقام في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية خلال الفترة من 15 يونيو إلى 13 يوليو.

A victory at Hagley Oval will also take New Zealand to the top of the ICC Test rankings

Firdose Moonda23-Feb-2022

Dean Elgar and Tom Latham pose with the series trophy•AFP/Getty Images

Big pictureNew Zealand are on the brink of history but, from talking to the team, you’d barely know it. Neil Wagner described their win in the first Test over South Africa as “no different to any of the others,” but it is. Wagner, nor any of his team-mates had ever been part of a Test XI that have won a match against South Africa. That last happened for New Zealand in 2004, when Wagner was still a South African. New Zealand have also never won a Test series against South Africa and have lost 13 out of 16, including the last six. Over the next five days, they have an opportunity to change that.Even a draw at Hagley Oval – though an unlikely possibility given conditions and history – will give New Zealand victory over the only Full Member they’ve played that they do not have a series win against. A triumph for New Zealand will see them sweep the series, go top of the ICC Test rankings and will keep them on track in the World Test Championship points race. All that without the retired Ross Taylor, injured Kane Williamson, and paternity-leave absentee Trent Boult should mark a very satisfying home Test summer for New Zealand, who next play away, in England.Related

Tom Latham and New Zealand chasing 'as many WTC points as possible'

Wagner: Winning against South Africa 'no different to any of the other ones'

Stats – South Africa's second-worst defeat ever, Tim Southee's home record

South Africa are also heading to the UK, but only after hosting Bangladesh at home first and will not want to go into that series looking in worse shape than they have over the last eight months. After a Test series in West Indies, a better-than-expected T20 World Cup and an against-the-odds home Test series win over India, things were looking up but they slumped to their second-biggest defeat in their history in the first Test and some will wonder if it’s one step forward and several back.Perhaps there’s comfort in knowing they are not at full strength after newly installed No. 3 Keegan Petersen missed the tour and Lungi Ngidi sat out the first match but South Africa believe they have unearthed a deeper talent pool and will want to prove that. They’re also known for working their way back from impossible situations and having their backs to the wall tends to bring out the best in them, which bodes well for the second Test, at least, lasting longer than the first.The opening Test was over in seven sessions and though the venue has not changed, South Africa promise their headspace has. It will still be a battle of bowlers but with the way South Africa collapsed last week and New Zealand prospered on the same strip, this is more likely to be a measure of which line-up adjusts better and shows the fortitude to go the distance.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand WWLLDSouth Africa LWWLWIn the spotlightHe went largely unnoticed next to Matt Henry and Tim Southee’s record-breaking performance and Wagner’s brute force against his former countrymen, but Kyle Jamieson was equally important to piling pressure on South Africa. He conceded at under two runs an over in the first innings and was instrumental in holding an end while Henry ran through South Africa. With his height – just a shade shorter than Marco Jansen at 2.03 metres – Jamieson generates awkward bounce and he told local media he is also searching for some extra speed so he can move out of the 130kph range and more consistently into 140kph territory. If he gets it right, he would be the scariest seamer New Zealand have.South Africa’s entire batting line-up is under scrutiny, including the position of wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne . His Test career is only five matches old but Verreynne has yet to demonstrate the kind of batting that took his first-class average to over 50 or reputation for being an aggressive stroke-maker. He has had limited opportunity but averages 15.42 from seven Test innings and has not yet crossed 30. Crucially, he has conceded 46 byes in five innings and appears to have some tightening up of his game behind the stumps. With Ryan Rickleton breathing down his neck, with an average of over 100 this season and reasonable form with the gloves, Verreynne may have to make the most of this chance or risk being swapped out for the home Tests against Bangladesh.Team newsSouth Africa are likely to bench Aiden Markram, who averages 9.7 from his last 10 Test innings, but whether that creates room for Rickleton will depend on whether they feel they need an extra bowler. With Ngidi needing another two weeks to recover from a back injury, South Africa may look for insurance from allrounder Wiaan Mulder or spinner Keshav Maharaj and cut the line-up to six batters, but if they choose to include a seventh, Rickleton could debut. Glenton Stuurman had a difficult debut and could be replaced by Lutho Sipamla.South Africa (possible): 1 Dean Elgar (capt), 2 Sarel Erwee, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Temba Bavuma, 5 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 6 Zubayr Hamza, 7 Wiaan Mulder/Keshav Maharaj, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Kagiso Rabada 10 Duanne Olivier, 11 Lutho SipamlaTrent Boult has returned from paternity leave but does not have the bowling loads to be considered for this Test, which should allow Henry to keep his place.New Zealand (possible): 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Will Young, 3 Devon Conway, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Colin de Grandhomme 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Matt HenryPitch and conditionsThe second Test will be played at the same venue but on a different pitch and New Zealand’s centurion from the first Test, Henry Nicholls, expects conditions to remain the same. Two days out from the match starting, he had not seen the pitch but assumed it looked pretty green and said that doesn’t mean run-scoring needs to be laboured. “It’s going to offer a bit to the bowlers but it does offer scoring opportunities,” Nicholls said. South Africa’s vice-captain Temba Bavuma was more hopeful that there’d be less bite. With warmer weather in the lead-up to this match, he hoped it would be pleasant for batting. Temperatures are set to stay in the high teens, with no rain forecast, but cloudy conditions for day three.Stats and trivia New Zealand have never beaten South Africa in a Test series and have lost 13 out of 16 series against them. Marco Jansen (16), Kagiso Rabada (15) and Tim Southee (13) have taken the most Test wickets so far in 2022. Of them, Jansen’s average of 17.81 is the best. New Zealand have won their last five Tests at Hagley Oval, dating back to December 2018. They have won their last three with margins of more than an innings.Quotes”One of the key things we try and do each game is pass the baton on. It is about bowling in partnerships, how we can build pressure through different plans and ends, understanding our roles. We always talk about how do we take 20 wickets. And whether some guy takes 15 of them it does not really matter a huge amount. It is about us trying to take 20 wickets and trying to find the best way of doing that.””I was very relaxed. I had been with the squad for four Test series, you start integrating with the guys, you understand the standard, the intensity the cricket is played at, the training intensity; so I was very focused but very relaxed. I had no nerves whatsoever. The only time I had a little bit of goosebumps was when I walked out to bat with Dean. But I no heart rate that spiked up which was quite cool. I had mentally prepped. I had visualised for a long time what the situation would be like walking out to bat and it was nice to have it in front of some fans. It was quite a cool experience.”