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After an impressive 281-run victory in the First Test at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand aim to close the series whitewash against South Africa in Hamilton beginning on Tuesday, February 13 at Seddon Park.
Rachin Ravindra was the star of the show, scoring an impressive 240 runs in the first innings – 252 in total - and taking two important wickets. He notched 26 fours and three sixes in his mammoth innings and improved his career Test average to 46.42 over four matches.
He also boasts a plus-40 average in first class cricket with seven centuries and 12 50s, and has the temperament to excel in the longest international format.
Other key performers in the contest were perennial run scorer Kane Williamson – who notched 118 in the first innings – and Kyle Jamieson who took six wickets – including four in the second innings. For South Africa, captain Neil Brand claimed eight wickets, with David Bedingham the lone 50-maker in the Proteas ranks.
For the Second Test, New Zealand are once again the favourites priced at 1/6, with the visitors at long odds to cause the upset (12/1). The draw is 7/1, with the weather is set fair for the five days.
New Zealand are also unbeaten in eight Tests at Seddon Park dating back to 2013. In total the hosts have won 13 times in Hamilton, drawn eight and lost six.
World number one batter Williamson will look to maintain his strong form at Seddon Park. His last outing in December 2020 saw him hit a career-best 251 – including 34 fours and two sixes – against the West Indies.
In 17 innings at the stadium Williamson has notched two double centuries, three further centuries and five more 50s – a tally of 1,238 runs at an average of 88.42. He reaches at least 50 in 58% of his innings in Hamilton. Williamson also averages 75.06 over the past 10 matches.
Williamson is 6/1 to win the Player of the Match award, 13/5 to be the game's Top Batter, 5/6 to top 85.5 match runs and 5/6 to score over 8.5 fours. He's 2/1 to score a century and 8/15 to notch a half century in the contest.
For South Africa, Bedingham was the only batter to make a name for himself in the First Test. His second innings score of 87 is his highest in the format and he scored 119 runs across the match. He's a 14/1 shot to earn Top Batter honours and 22/1 to be the Player of the Match.
Another impressive performer in the First Test was debutant all-rounder captain Neil Brand. The 27-year-old, who bowls left-arm orthodox spin, took 6-119 in the first innings, and 8-171 in the match, during the series opener - earning the scalps of Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway and Williamson. Brand is 10/1 to secure Top Bowler honours, and 22/1 to earn the Player of the Match accolade.
For New Zealand, Tim Southee will be the main threat – the seamer has taken 51 wickets in 10 matches at Seddon Park with a best of 6-80. He is also the in-form bowler for the Kiwis, taking 32 wickets in his last ten outings.
