6 Things to watch: Black Caps v South Africa

Jimmy Neesham is an option to open the batting at the Cricket World Cup. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Six things to watch out for ahead of the three ODI series between the Black Caps and South Africa.

1 Opening up

Who should open when New Zealand start the cup against Sri Lanka in Christchurch? There appear to be four candidates - Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham and Dean Brownlie, with Hamish Rutherford, who is not in the training squad of 19, a step further back and Jesse Ryder's shadow hovering in the background. Guptill and Latham appear the logical choices right now.

2 Mental strength

Expect South Africa to look to dominate with the ball. New Zealand's batsmen can be sure of a workover from perhaps the best fast-medium attack in the game - Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel. New Zealand must stay assertive and step up to the challenge.

3 Fielding

New Zealand are well-regarded in the third cricketing skill, but let's see signs that, even though it's very early in the international season, they are on the job from the start.
4 Allrounders on song

Corey Anderson and Neesham, step forward. Perhaps more so with the ball than bat. Both players' bowling has flattered to deceive at times. They need to show their full value as allrounders. That means parsimony, and wickets. Both hit a long ball. Strike rates will matter. Both can do serious damage. Let's see some of that.

5 Just win

There's all sorts of benefits out of winning, so start a long summer on a decisive note.

6 Left-arm conundrum

Or is it? Can both Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan be fitted into the 15? Boult hasn't played an ODI since February last year, but his Champions League form for ND was impressive and concerns over his white-ball effectiveness are being answered. McClenaghan's numbers are his strongest point; 22 matches 48 wickets at 22. He can be pricy though, so needs wickets to compensate. Mark down Kyle Mills and Tim Southee in a likely fast-medium cup quartet. Matt Henry is pressing; Adam Milne, with his extra pace, is a shot.