Adam Parore: Good chance for New Zealand to take a first series win

New Zealand must be on the front foot mentally when the first test against South Africa starts tonight.

We've nothing to fear from them.

Sure, our record in the republic is not particularly flash - we've won three and lost 10 of 16 tests there and four of the last five have been lost - but there is no reason for that to continue.

South Africa are a good international team, but not a great one by any stretch, and New Zealand know their players pretty well. There should be no surprises.

Of all the test-playing countries to visit, South Africa is just about the best in terms of the overall package.

The pitch and climactic conditions are good. It's not like walking out to face Australia on a lively Gabba strip for the first test, or the opening test of an English tour, when you've been there, soaking up the history and traditions for a month.

New Zealand should have no apprehensions when they wake up today. In fact they should be relishing this series and take the view they've got a good chance of winning.

This should be as good an opportunity as any to claim a first series victory in South Africa.

There are certain things we know about the South Africans.

Makhaya Ntini will test the New Zealand batsmen out with plenty of lively short stuff.

He is a fine bowler, reasonably quick, takes wickets and is in good form. That adds up to a difficult time ahead for New Zealand's top order, which is the one area I have some concerns about, but they'll just have to cope with it.

Ntini has been at his best when he's had Shaun Pollock operating at the other end, keeping things tight.

Pollock has been a terrific bowler but he's coming to the end of his best days.

Jacques Kallis has scored plenty of runs against New Zealand and when he starts a series well he tends to carry on. A prolific Kallis will make life difficult for New Zealand.

Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher are important components while Andre Nel will make life interesting.

He's big and rawboned and I suspect he has the IQ of an empty swimming pool.

But he's fiery, committed and wholehearted. Forget the histrionics, he's a tough competitor.

As I've said before, Jacob Oram is vital to New Zealand's chances, with the ball probably more than the bat. He should get enough bounce out of the pitches to trouble the South African batsmen.

Put it this way: if Shane Bond, Chris Martin, James Franklin, Oram and Daniel Vettori are not taking sufficient wickets, and we're having to use plenty of Scott Styris and Nathan Astle with the ball, then we've got problems.

I'm delighted to hear two teams are heading for Australia for some cricket in June-July against a mix of academy and A teams from other countries.

Anything which gets our players into Australia to play cricket has to be good news.

There are only positives to come out of that.

It will help develop players on a level above our domestic game and provide a bridge to the national team, and the selectors get a chance to see how players perform in a different environment against what I'm sure will be good quality opposition.

What a fright Bangladesh gave Australia this week, and what a pity they couldn't finish it off.

Even so, the performance of the Bangladeshis is a huge shot in the arm for their cricket and for the world game.

Not so long ago, Bangladesh were way off the pace, with claims their test status should be revoked as they clearly weren't up to it.

They've proved this week they are fast learners. And as for the Aussies? This will be a massive wakeup call.