Cricket: Black Caps play patience game with Kallis

1.00pm

New Zealand's cricket team oddly believe not much needs to change for them to stop Jacques Kallis' rampant batting form in tomorrow's second test here.

Kallis is enemy No 1 as New Zealand chase their first test series win over South Africa after the first test was drawn in Hamilton at the weekend.

South Africa's batting star goes into tomorrow's match shooting for his sixth century in as many consecutive tests, a feat only achieved by Australian great Sir Donald Bradman.

Coach John Bracewell said he was satisfied with how his bowlers attacked Kallis in the Hamilton test, despite his batting exhibition of 92 and 150 not out.

"It doesn't look very successful because he batted magnificently well in the last test. He has enormous patience to go with a real gift," Bracewell said.

"Our plan of bowling straighter to him is one that can be successful. He does tend to go hard at the ball early, and even tends to lunge at the ball.

"We had four or five lbw shouts which on a good day may have been given. On his day they weren't given."

New Zealand's best chance of getting Kallis cheaply may rest with winning the toss and bowling first tomorrow on a pitch which will have early moisture to assist the pacemen but is expected to flatten out to a top batting surface.

Kallis has scored 960 runs from his last eight test innings at an average of 192, and said at the weekend he was intent on racking up a sixth century in six matches here.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum had the best seat in the house to watch Kallis' onslaught and agreed with his coach that the bowlers weren't far off.

"He's a pivotal part of their side and if we can get his wicket it'll go a long way towards us winning the game.

"There was an opportunity there for a couple of lbws, and if we can maybe straighten a bit more then that'll give us a better chance of claiming him."

Kallis though is just one part of an imposing South African batting unit which includes openers Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith, and No 5 Gary Kirsten playing his 100th test tomorrow.

Bracewell paid tribute to the bowling plans hatched by assistant coach Mark O'Donnell, formerly based in South Africa with wide knowledge of the tourists.

New Zealand dismissed South Africa for 459 after they won the toss in Hamilton, and the home side replied with 509.

"Mark O'Donnell is basically our strategist and I think he did marvellously well. They won the toss on a pretty benign track which got deader and harder to score on."

While South Africa's batting lineup will prove tough to match, New Zealand are hoping for an edge in the bowling department.

The Black Caps' lower order, namely McCullum, centurion Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman all took toll of some tired deliveries in Hamilton.

McCullum said their bowling would be the target again.

"If the wicket's not as quick as back home it gives us another area to exploit them. If we can claim 20 wickets I certainly think our batting can push us to a win," McCullum said.

Both sides have headaches over who to include in their bowling lineup.

New Zealand may opt for either pacemen Ian Butler or Chris Martin to replace Wiseman while South Africa may include lanky outswing bowler David Terbrugge for Andre Nel.

South Africa are approaching three big milestones -- Shaun Pollock's Proteas record 331st test wicket, Kirsten's 100th test and Kallis' century record.

The weather forecast was looking bleak for today and tomorrow but fine weather was expected on Friday.

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Michael Papps, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Ian Butler, Paul Wiseman, Chris Martin.

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Rudolph, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Paul Adams, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Nicky Boje, Albie Morkel, David Terbrugge.

Umpires: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka), Aleem Dar (Pakistan).

- NZPA