Proteas ready for number one spot

series, like a cat would play with a mouse.
This comes as somewhat of a surprise as the Kiwis are a formidable side in the shortened version of the game.
But AB de Villiers and his side made stand-in captain Brendon Mccullum’s side look totally out of their depth at this level as they ruthlessly dispatched the home team.
This makes one wonder where Zimbabwe currently stands in world cricket.
The Test series between New Zealand and South Africa, which got underway shortly after midnight, should be no different to the ODI series.
The Proteas have a very well balanced team with a settled batting line-up and plenty of options in their bowling attack.
In fact, I would even go as far as saying that South Africa, at this moment in time, have the bowling attack with the best variety, considering that they have four right-arm fast bowlers, a left-arm seamer, a left-arm spinner as well as a right-arm leg spinner to choose from.
And, if you add Jacques Kallis to the mix, you will find that they really do have it all.
What will be interesting to see is how Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will respond to the Test pitches which will surely be different to the ODI pitches we have seen.
The ODI surfaces have suited South Africa as their fast men have extracted steep bounce and genuine pace.
Steyn and Morkel, in particular, were very successful with the short ball against Sri Lanka on responsive South African pitches and, up to now, the New Zealand pitches have suited them well.
But, with the Test matches getting underway, we may very well see a change in order to accommodate former captain and experienced left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori.
What will also be interesting to observe is the form and the overall captaincy of Graeme Smith.
There is no doubt whatsoever that the captaincy of AB de Villiers has been a breath of fresh air while Smith, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly aloof and, at times, predictable.
There are those who have followed South African Cricket for a number of years who feel that the time has come for Smith to relinquish the captaincy to de Villiers whose natural flair as both skipper and player seems to bring the best out of all the players.
And, given that Mark Boucher returns as wicketkeeper, it takes a considerable amount of pressure off de Villiers although if he does feel under any pressure, he has shown no sign of feeling it all.
The one bowler to look out for will be Vernon Philander who has the ability to swing the ball both ways at a lively pace and his probing line and length makes him a real threat on any given surface.
New Zealand will have to rely on the likes of Chris Martin who will take the new ball as well as the return of their captain Ross Taylor who has been on the sidelines for over a month while recovering from injury.
Even though many people believe this is likely to be a one-sided series which, therefore, would attract very little interest, South Africa have a lot at stake to play for.
If they take a clean sweep in the three-match series, they will go to the top of the Test rankings and will end one point ahead of England at the cut-off point, which is on April 1, and will receive US175 000.
Given the Proteas’ powerful batting line-up, plus a bowling attack which is more than a handful and which is unlikely to include the very talented Marchant de Lange, South Africa have every right of being optimistic of going to the top of the Test rankings.