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Can New Zealand's cricketers perform an Evander Holyfield-like deed?

Rather like the heavyweight boxer, they have looked down and out against their opponents this week - only to escape with a lucky draw.

Hopes are high that a series-breaking knock-out blow can be delivered against South Africa in the third and final BNZ cricket test starting in Wellington today.

The last five test matches at the Basin Reserve have all produced results, although three of those have been losses for New Zealand.

New Zealand coach Steve Rixon said he had not decided whether to bat or bowl if captain Dion Nash won his third successive toss in the series.

``It (the pitch) looks like it's got some juice in it. We will weigh things up on the morning,'' Rixon said.

Another factor is the absence of South Africa's world-class speedster Allan Donald, who is nursing a stomach muscle strain. Donald's departure must give the Black Caps batsmen cause to stride more confidently to the crease. South Africa is likely to plump for 34-year-old medium-pacer Steve Elworthy as Donald's replacement.

New Zealand, meanwhile, seems certain to bring left-arm medium-fast bowler Shayne O'Connor into the starting line-up. O'Connor has a better test bowling record (18 wickets at an average of 35.4) than left-arm rival Geoff Allott (12 wickets at 77.5).

O'Connor, with his four-wicket burst for New Zealand A against the Proteas at Lincoln Green this month, has been the only bowler to have troubled the South African batsmen during the first-class matches.

While the pitch is firm, having been under cover during recent rain, the outfield is soft.

The Black Caps should have been on the cricketing canvas in Christchurch but were saved by the rain. It will take a much-improved effort with both disciplines, bat and ball, to prevent the Proteas asserting their advantage as one of the game's heavyweights.

Likely teams

New Zealand: Matt Horne, Bryan Young, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Gary Stead, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dion Nash (captain), Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Shayne O'Connor, Geoff Allott.

South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Steve Elworthy, Paul Adams.