South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 5th ODI, 5 Talking Points

Modified Mar 04, 2017 15:13 IST

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 04: Kagiso Rabada of South Africa bowls during game five of the One Day International series between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park on March 4, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) — Rabada set Eden Park on fire with an incredible spell of bowling

#2 de Kock vs Jeetan Patel – a lesson to bowl against the opener?

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 04: Jeetan Patel of New Zealand celebrates with teammate Luke Ronchi for the wicket of JP Duminy of South Africa during game five of the One Day International series between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park on March 4, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) — Patel has had the better of de Kock in both the games he played in

New Zealand seem to have found an answer to a dynamic question at the top of the South African batting line-up, Quinton de Kock. They have opened with Jeetan Patel in the last two games and he nipped out de Kock both times.

In the first ODI, de Kock was forced to push at a delivery turning away from him and he nicked to the slips for a golden duck. At Eden Park today, Patel once again opened the attack. de Kock could not resist the temptation to go after Patel only to find the ball ballooning off an edge to mid-off.

With the Champions Trophy round the corner, New Zealand's find seems to be a welcome option for other teams who have struggled to contain the wicket-keeper batsman. de Kock is among the top batsmen in ODIs in world cricket today and will need to iron out his flaws against the off-spinner to continue his thus far successful career.