New Zealandwon the toss and decided to bowl against South Africa
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Glenn Phillips makes his debut for New Zealand © Getty Images
After 36 hours of torrential rain, it appeared Auckland’s weather had played ball as it cleared in time for the start of the one-off T20 between New Zealand and South Africa.
New Zealand won the toss and given the amount of time the pitch and been undercover, a humid evening and the lingering threat of showers it was little surprise that they bowled first.
They handed a debut to 20-year-old Auckland batsman Glenn Phillips who will open in place of the injured Martin Guptill. Elsewhere they went for the left-arm angle of Ben Wheeler ahead of the pace of Lockie Ferguson, alongside the senior duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Colin de Grandhomme earned the allrounder’s slot ahead of Jimmy Neesham.
David Miller did not make the cut for South Africa after his recent finger injury, meaning Farhaan Behardien, who captained the side in the previous T20s against Sri Lanka, retained his place. Kagiso Rabada was also left out meaning a chance for Dane Paterson who made his debut against Sri Lanka. There are six South Africans in the XI from the famous World Cup semi-final two years ago.
New Zealand Kane Williamson (capt), Glenn Phillips, Colin Munro, Tom Bruce, Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ben Wheeler, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
South Africa Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Dane Paterson
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo