New Delhi, October 20, 2005: ESPN STAR Sports, India's leading sports network, will telecast New Zealand's tour of South Africa starting October 23, 2005. The two teams will play five one-day internationals in the forthcoming series. All the ODIs will be telecast 'LIVE' on ESPN.
Graeme Smith, the Captain of South Africa, will be looking for
retribution against the Kiwis. The Africans lost to the Kiwis an
embarrassing 5 times in a 6 match ODI series in New Zealand last year.
With three of their top players, Smith himself, Shaun Pollock and
Mkhaya Ntini returning after the stint with World XI, Smith will be
positive of top notch performance from them. The return of Herschelle
Gibbs from injury will also add to Smith's delight.
On the other hand, Stephen Fleming will be looking forward to repeat
the Kiwis success against the Proteas in their last series. With the
return to fitness and form of Shane Bond, the Kiwis boast of a potent
match winner in the side. Not that they have a shortage with Daniel
Vettori, Nathan Astle, Jacob Oram and the Captain Stephen Fleming
capable of winning matches single handedly for the team.
The two teams have met each other 40 times with South Africa enjoying the upper hand 23 times. However in the last seven one dayers the Kiwis have won six times including in the World Cup 2003. The erstwhile Gary Kirsten holds the record for maximum runs (1180 in 31 matches) in matches between the two teams. However, in the current lot Jacques Kallis (1172 in 33 matches) and Stephen Fleming (1032 in 33 matches) are closing in. Among bowlers, Shaun Pollock enjoys a decent record (44 wickets in 33 matches) with the unavailable Chris Cairns (33 wickets in 31 matches) following suit. The series with quality players and terrific on field rivalry will promise a thrilling contest in the six one dayers. Can the Proteas get hold of the Kiwis or the Kiwis will fly high? Catch the action LIVE & Exclusive on ESPN starting 23rd October 2005.
For further information, contact ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd at
011-5154 4444 - 51:
Sameer Bajaj, Manager - Corporate Communications, Email:
sameerb@espnstar.co.in
Or Tarundeep Singh, IPAN at 011- 52492100, 9871313339 Email:
tarundeep.singh@ipan.com
For the latest schedules and programme information visit
http://www.espnstar.com/www.espnstar.com
