hard." Budenholzer replaces Larry Drew, who was 128-102 in three seasons. "Id also like to acknowled | Forum

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Match facts August 19-23, Durban Start time 1000 local (0800 GMT)Big PictureThe world has already accepted cricket as a year-round - and not summer - sport, and now its South Africas turn. Ian McCoshen Jersey . This is the first time Test cricket will be played in what is essentially winter, although Durbans balmy conditions beat summer in most places. The weather is certain, but at this time of the year, no one knows what to expect from the conditions, not even South Africa.The home side will begin their fresh start at an unfamiliar time of the year, and with their permanent captain and one of their premier pacemen out with injury. Stand-in leader Faf du Plessis admitted he does not know what to expect from the Durban strip, which did not appear unusually green the day before the match. Some say it will take turn, others feel it will be slow, and the prevailing view is that the quicks will have to work hard for their wickets.Among those are South Africas returning seamers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, who will play together for the first time since November last year. The pair sat out most of the previous summer with injuries, but has recovered ahead of a busy season. They will face a stern test against New Zealands strong batting line-up, who played themselves into form in the preceding two-Test series in Zimbabwe, but will know this will be a much sterner challenge.New Zealand were shot out for 45 in the first innings of the first Test they played in South Africa three years ago, and lost both matches in the series by an innings. But they used that humiliation as a catalyst to rebuild and have since racked up a string of good results at home, and, importantly for their growth as a team, away. They want to be able to build on that, although history does not favour them in this series.New Zealand have never won a Test series against South Africa, but could see this as their best chance. They are ranked two places ahead of the hosts, and with a similarly balanced side and recent form behind them, could be seen as favourites. But South Africa are not keen to concede the advantage early on and have promised to start more aggressively than before in a bid to begin their rebirth.Form guideSouth Africa WLDLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)New Zealand WWLLWIn the spotlightAt the end of January, Faf du Plessis would have had reason to doubt he would play in this series. Du Plessis had scored one half-century in 13 innings dating back to South Africas tour of Bangladesh in July 2015 and was dropped for the Centurion Test against England. Fast-forward seven months and not only is du Plessis back in the team, but he is the captain in de Villiers injury-enforced absence. He will have to find form and a leadership style quickly as South Africa begin to rebuild.The last time New Zealand were in South Africa, BJ Watling was one of the few bright spots for the visitors. He finished behind Dean Brownlie in New Zealands batting charts with twin half-centuries in the Port Elizabeth Test. Since then, Watling has scored five Test centuries and has earned the praise of coach Mike Hesson for being able to change approach mid-game. Watling could bat as high as No. 5 in this series and will have additional run-scoring responsibility, which he has been tipped to take on with aplomb.Team newsThe much-anticipated return of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander will give South Africas attack its reputation back. While Morkel will not be around, the pair have Kagiso Rabada as a third prong. Dane Piedt will operate as the only specialist spinner, while JP Duminy is certain to be called on to bowl a bit too. De Villiers absence will see the return of du Plessis, in a familiar, if lacking-for-form, middle order. Stephen Cook has been promised an extended run at the top, which will mean Stiaan van Zyl is sidelined.South Africa: (probable) 1 Stephen Cook, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 Temba Bavuma, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dane Piedt, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Kagiso RabadaMost of the XI that did duty in Zimbabwe will retain their place. Henry Nicholls had an average series in Zimbabwe, where he failed to get past 20, but is likely to retain his place. Mitchell Santner, who has been asked to do more of an all-round job, may have a bigger role in both disciplines, and could also operate as the only specialist spinner. Conditions could keep Ish Sodhi out for Doug Bracewell to provide a fourth seam-bowling option.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Doug Bracewell/Ish Sodhi 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Tim SoutheePitch and conditionsA foreign surface awaits both teams, neither of which knows what to expect from early-season conditions. Without baking hot sunshine to harden the surface, there is talk of a strip that could be slower than the usual South African surface, and one which may also take turn early on. The outfield is the main concern as it appeared patchy in places.Durbans rain-free winter was interrupted by showers in the week leading up to the Test and may interfere with the cricket. Rain is forecast for parts of Saturday and Monday, days two and four. Temperatures will remain in the early 20s with high humidity.Stats and triviaSouth Africa and New Zealand have played each other in 14 Test series dating back to 1932. New Zealand have never won, but have managed three draws, most recently in 2003-04 in New ZealandThere has never been a Test match played in Kingsmead in AugustDale Steyn is 16 wickets away from overtaking Shaun Pollock as South Africas leading wicket-taker in TestsQuotesI accept the fact that we havent played the best cricket. Losing 3-0 in India took a lot of our points away. It was tough conditions - we should have done better, but it was really tough. Where we are lying at the moment, at No. 6 or No. 7, is not where we are going to be. We have New Zealand at home and then Sri Lanka at home. If we win both these series, we will start to climb up the rankings.Faf du PlessisI dont think we regard ourselves as favourites. We know that South Africa are always a strong opposition, regardless of the rankings. For us the focus is on playing our cricket, going out there and adapting quickly.Kane Williamson Colton Sceviour Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Radim Vrbata Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. http:///...genii-dadonov-jersey . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void.ATLANTA -- New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer is "living a dream" as he makes plans to remain with the Spurs through the NBA finals before turning his full focus to his first NBA head coaching job. Budenholzer, the longtime San Antonio assistant, was named the Hawks coach Tuesday, one day after the Spurs completed a four-game sweep of Memphis in the Western Conference finals. "Its been a pretty amazing 48 hours, Ill be very honest with you," Budenholzer said on Wednesday as he was introduced by Hawks general manager Danny Ferry. "Its exciting for my family, exciting for me. "The opportunity to come here with the Atlanta Hawks, when you couple that with coming to the NBA finals, Im living a dream." Budenholzer, 43, spent 19 years with the Spurs, including 17 seasons as an assistant. He was the top assistant for coach Gregg Popovich the past six years, but he may be a new name to many fans outside of San Antonio. "Im definitely not a sexy hire," Budenholzer said. "Thankfully, that wasnt on Dannys shopping list." Similarly, the Spurs are viewed by some as lacking the flash of such other high-profile teams as Miami. The accusations of boring play didnt stop the Spurs from winning NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007 as Budenholzer coached under Popovich. Budenholzer said hell bring the emphasis for strong defence and ball movement to Atlanta. And he said the Spurs system is catching on with other teams. "I think the league and the NBA, whether its fundamentals or the style of playing, is moving toward the style that were playing. I look forward to bringing to Atlanta the ball movement and people movement and people sharing and participating and a little bit less of the one on one," he said. "Its something you have to believe in and you have to sell. I think in the initial stages it may be a little difficult, but in the long run players, coaches, fans and everyone will enjoy it and see the benefits." Budenholzer said the Hawks ownership, Ferry and roster flexibility combined to make Atlanta "a perfect fit for me." Centre Al Horford is the lone starter with a guaranteed contract for next season. The only other players with guaranteed contracts are guard Lou Williams, who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury, and rookie guard John Jenkins. Point guard Jeff Teague can become a restricted free agent. Budenholzer said Teague "is someone I feel strongly about and hes part of why Im excitted to get this opportunity. MacKenzie Weegar Jersey. Hes a heck of a player. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made on a lot of different fronts, including Jeff. I look forward to working with Danny on that." Longtime starting forward Josh Smith tops Atlantas long list of unrestricted free agents. Budenholzer said hell build around Horford and the financial flexibility Ferry began to create by trading Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams before the 2012-13 season. Pending decisions on Teague and others, the Hawks could have about $40 million under the cap to spend in free agency. "We want to build it and so as a coach that is exciting," he said. "That is why to me, that roster element in making the decision was strong." Budenholzer said he and Ferry will work out how much time he will have for the Hawks while he completes his drive for a fifth NBA championship ring with the Spurs. "Danny and I are talking and working on that," Budenholzer said before adding he wants to "be sure I finish right with San Antonio. He and I both want Pop to still call us when this is said and done." Budenholzer said hell bring lessons learned under Popovich, including a strong defensive philosophy. Ferry came to the Hawks last year after two years as vice-president of basketball operations for the Spurs. After his close view of Budenholzers role with the Spurs, Ferry now is looking for the coach to bring at least part of San Antonios winning system to Atlanta. "Part of whats exciting about this for me is he has a great understanding of the league," Ferry said. "Hes been part of San Antonio. He wasnt just in San Antonio like some of us were, hes been there for the duration. Hes seen how it evolved. Hes seen how it has grown. Mike, (general manager) R.C. (Buford) and Pop were the ones who were there the whole time." Ferry said Hawks players will buy into Budenholzers ability to clearly communicate his plans. "I think Mike will certainly help us be more mentally tough by implementing clarity on a way to play that guys can and will believe in," Ferry said. "Theyll buy in and theyll play hard." Budenholzer replaces Larry Drew, who was 128-102 in three seasons. "Id also like to acknowledge my appreciation and respect for the job Larry Drew did here the last three years," Ferry said. "I enjoyed working with him. We talked again yesterday about things and I wish him great luck and success." ' ' '
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