South Africa v New Zealand, 2015-16

	Hashim Amla lifted South Africa to a 2-1 ODI series victory over New Zealand © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Series/Tournaments: New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa Teams: New Zealand | South Africa

Twenty20 internationals (2): South Africa 1, New Zealand 1
One-day internationals (3): South Africa 2, New Zealand 1

In those areas of South Africa where rain falls largely in the summer months, cricket at junior and club level is not unusual during the winter. But series of two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals that coincided with the start of rugby's Currie Cup had fans scratching their heads. What was the point? Money.

Since the takeover of the game's finances by the Big Three, Cricket South Africa have felt obliged to generate whatever revenue they can, whenever they can. Yet, beyond making some cash, this short tour - which had begun in Zimbabwe - was bereft of meaning. Not even the marketeers' old favourite of "revenge" - these teams had fought an epic semi-final in the World Cup back in March - would wash, since New Zealand, victors that night in Auckland, were a substantially different team in South Africa. They were without the captain, Brendon McCullum, who was rested, along with Tim Southee. Also missing were Ross Taylor (after sustaining a groin injury in Zimbabwe), Trent Boult and Corey Anderson (both recovering from stress-related back problems), and Daniel Vettori (retired).

The South Africans, too, were suffering some high-profile absentees. Faf du Plessis was nursing a damaged knee, while J-P. Duminy and Morne Morkel - after playing the first Twenty20 international - were with their pregnant wives. In the event - and with some irony, given the main goal of the series - CSA failed to sell coverage to Sky NZ, who claimed the price was too high; CSA said all they had wanted was a "market-related rights fee", which was not forthcoming. Neutral observers might have pointed out that there was no market precedent for a series at this time of year. Supporters in New Zealand were eventually offered a free internet link to live streaming of the games. Both series were close: the Twenty20 games were shared, and South Africa took the decisive third one-dayer.

Match reports for

Tour Match: North West v New Zealanders at Pretoria, Jul 27, 2015
Scorecard

Tour Match: North West v New Zealanders at Pretoria, Jul 28, 2015
Scorecard

1st ODI: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 2, 2015
Report | Scorecard

2nd ODI: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 4, 2015
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3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 7, 2015
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Only T20I: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 9, 2015
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1st T20I: South Africa v New Zealand at Durban, Aug 14, 2015
Report | Scorecard

2nd T20I: South Africa v New Zealand at Centurion, Aug 16, 2015
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1st ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Centurion, Aug 19, 2015
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2nd ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Potchefstroom, Aug 23, 2015
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3rd ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Durban, Aug 26, 2015
Report | Scorecard