New Delhi, April 14, 2006- ESPN STAR Sports, Asia's number one broadcaster, will telecast Live and exclusive, New Zealand's African Safari starting April 15, 2006. The islanders play a 3 test series against the Proteas in continuance to their 5 ODI series in October 2005. New Zealand is the second team from the pacific to tour the African country this month after Australia.

Kiwi premier bowler, Shane Bond, has been cleared to play the First test despite a niggling knee injury that kept the fast bowler sidelined during warm up matches. The lanky bowler has been a proven match winner for the Kiwis with an impressive record of 64 wickets in 14 tests at an average of just 17.57 runs per wicket.

On the other hand, South African skipper Graeme Smith is struggling with his finger injury to be fit for the first test. The young Proteas captain and opening batsman has been fighting to be in shape since the last test he played against Australia in the first week of April. Jacques Kallis, who captained South Africa in that test, is on stand by to lead them in case of Smith not being declared fit.

Kallis or Smith, the Proteas will have a big task on hand after a demoralising first ever whitewash at home in tests by Australia. The Kiwis would be looking to take their chances with the master tactician Stephen Fleming marshalling his troops ever so effectively. Fleming is arguably best captain in the game today.

The two sides have met each other 30 times in a test match with South Africa leading the head to head count 14-6. The Kiwis would be looking to set the record straight and would look to take the series to prove their cynics wrong. New Zealand has been one of the best ODI sides but still needs to put things in perspective in Tests and they will be counting on this opportunity in South Africa.

Catch the action live and exclusive on ESPN STAR Sports

Schedule of the Bangladesh Vs Australia Test series

Date
Time
Event
Channel

April 15-20, 2006
13.58
South Africa Vs New Zealand, First Test Match, Centurion
ESPN

April 27- May 1, 2006
13.58
South Africa Vs New Zealand, Second Test Match, Cape Town
ESPN

May 5-9, 2006
13.28
South Africa Vs New Zealand, Third Test Match, Johannesburg
ESPN

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