Cricket: Proteas full of praise for Black Caps

South African Aaron Phangiso trains at the Bay Oval yesterday in readiness for what the Proteas are expecting to be a tough campaign against the Black Caps. Photo / George Novak

The South African Proteas have a single goal at the end of this summer - to win the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time.

And the journey to reach that elusive milestone begins with two ODIs against the Black Caps at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval next Tuesday and Thursday.

Proteas coach Russell Domingo was impressed with Bay Oval as his team held their first training yesterday.

"Look, it is beautiful here. We have all played in Auckland and Hamilton before so it is good to get out to a new venue," Domingo said.

"It is a very open field, which is a little bit different to what we are normally used to. I just hope the wind doesn't blow too much.

"Every game now leading into the World Cup is going to be important for us.

"We want to have a settled and confident side when we get to the event.

"The way we play our games now will, hopefully, be an indication of what we can expect at the World Cup."

The Proteas have beaten India, Sri Lanka, Australia and Zimbabwe in recent months but Domingo says they never take the Black Caps lightly.

"I have looked at our record in New Zealand and they have beaten South Africa 16 times and we have only won eight. Our record in Australia is better than that. We have beaten Australia more times than they have beaten us.

"We know it is going to be a very tough series for us."

Mount Maunganui residents Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson and Trent Boult will all be especially keen to do well in front of their home crowd, although Williamson has an injured wrist so is in doubt for Tuesday.

There is plenty of respect for the local trio from the Proteas.

"We were just talking about Kane Williamson last night and particularly how his T20 cricket's evolved," Domingo said. "We played against him at the T20 World Cup and he really smashed us around in the first 10 overs. He has really become a very, very good international player.

"Trent Boult is a very skilful left arm seamer. I watched him bowl in the Champions League and he bowled with good pace.

"We know Corey Anderson is a big hitter for them in the middle and back of the innings, so they are three big players for New Zealand."

ANZ International Series, Blackcaps v South Africa

Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Tuesday October 21, Thursday October 23
*Tickets: www.ticketek.co.nz or at the gate