Black Caps to put Proteas in a spin during series

Wellington, Feb.17 (ANI): New Zealand is likely to use its strength in the spin department to try to nail the visiting Proteas in the forthcoming series.

According to stuff.co.nz, while the tourists look to their imposing pace attack as their not-so-secret weapon for their six-week tour, which starts tonight with the first Twenty20 international at Westpac Stadium, an array of tweakers could provide the Black Caps' trump cards in the limited overs formats.

Events in Christchurch on Wednesday night only reinforced that view. Unheralded Canterbury spinners George Worker and Tim Johnston slammed the brakes on South Africa's innings after Richard Levi's flying start.

Stuff.co.nz quoted home skipper Brendon McCullum, as saying that promising Auckland left-armer Ronnie Hira would play, unless the drop-in pitch displays a green tinge.

"We have got four legitimate spin options which is great. It's something New Zealand teams haven't often had in the past," McCullum said.

Nathan McCullum, Rob Nicol and Kane Williamson are the spin options.

The Westpac Stadium pitch is usually slow, although New Zealand pacers Tim Southee and Hamish Bennett destroyed Pakistan for 124 in an one-dayer there a year ago.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Kane Williamson, James Franklin, Colin de Grandhomme, Nathan McCullum, Andrew Ellis, Doug Bracewell, Kyle Mills, Ronnie Hira, Tim Southee (one to be omitted).

South Africa (from): AB de Villiers (c), Richard Levi, Hashim Amla, Colin Ingram, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Rusty Theron, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Robin Peterson, Marchant de Lange, Wayne Parnell. (ANI)