DURBAN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - South Africa have not asked for quick pitches to be prepared for their four-test series against Australia, which starts in Durban on Thursday, after the ploy backfired just over a month ago, captain Faf du Plessis said on Wednesday.

Feb 28 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at close of play of 2nd odi between New Zealand and England on Wednesday at Tauranga, New Zealand England win by 6 wickets New Zealand 1st innings Martin Guptill c Jason Roy b Moeen Ali 50 Colin Munro c Jos Buttler b Chris Woakes 1 Mark Chapman c David Willey b Chris Woakes 1 Ross Taylor Run Out David Willey 10 Tom Latham c Tom Curran b Moeen Ali

Feb 28 (Reuters) - Ben Stokes shook off any rust following an enforced break with his 11th ODI half century as he guided England to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the second game of their five-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.

DURBAN, Feb 27 (Reuters) - South Africa's opening batsman Dean Elgar believes the spinners could prove decisive in their home series against Australia, which been hyped as potentially a blood-curdling battle between the two teams' pace attacks.

Feb 27 (Reuters) - Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood is keen to continue holding the upper hand over South Africa batsman Hashim Amla when the sides begin their four-test series in Durban on Thursday.

Feb 27 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at stumps on the third day of between South Australia and Queensland on Tuesday at Adelaide, Australia South Australia trail Queensland by 383 runs with 6 wickets remaining Queensland 1st innings Lachlan Pfeffer b Daniel Worrall 15 Matthew Renshaw c Alex Carey b Nick Winter 112 Marnus Labuschagne b Joe Mennie 3 Charlie Hemphrey c Jake Lehmann b Joe Mennie

Feb 27 (OPTA) - Standings of the Sheffield Shield on Tuesday P W L T BBat BBowl Ded PTS Victoria 8 2 1 5 8.11 7.00 0 32.11 Queensland 7 3 1 3 4.92 6.00 0 31.92 Tasmania 7 3 3 1 3.14 7.00 0 29.14 New South Wales 7 3 3 1 2.94 5.60 0 27.54 Western Australia 8 2 4 2 6.53 6.90 0 27.43 South Australia 7 2 3 2 6.76 5.50 0 26.26 Note: Ded-Deductions; BBat-Batting bonus; BB

Feb 27 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at close of play on the fourth day of between Western Australia and Victoria on Tuesday at Perth, Australia Victoria win by 255 runs Victoria 1st innings Travis Dean c Simon Mackin b Andrew Tye 111 Marcus Harris c D'Arcy Short b Matthew Kelly 46 Glenn Maxwell c Marcus Stoinis b Matthew Kelly 47 Will Pucovski c Josh Inglis b Marcus Stoinis 16 Aaron Finch lbw Ashton Agar

Feb 27 (Reuters) - Following is a factbox on the first test match between South Africa and Australia, which starts on Thursday:

DURBAN, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The pace attacks of South Africa and Australia are preparing to slug it out for supremacy in what is likely to be a bruising four-test series over the next five weeks.

CAPE TOWN, Feb 26 (Reuters) - South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel will retire from all formats of international cricket after the four-match home test series against Australia starting this week, he said on Monday.

Feb 26 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at stumps on the third day of between Western Australia and Victoria on Monday at Perth, Australia Western Australia trail Victoria by 307 runs with 2 wickets remaining Victoria 1st innings Travis Dean c Simon Mackin b Andrew Tye 111 Marcus Harris c D'Arcy Short b Matthew Kelly 46 Glenn Maxwell c Marcus Stoinis b Matthew Kelly 47 Will Pucovski c Josh Inglis b Marcus Stoinis 16 Aaron Finch

Feb 26 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of between South Australia and Queensland on Monday at Adelaide, Australia Queensland lead South Australia by 255 runs with 8 wickets remaining Queensland 1st innings Lachlan Pfeffer b Daniel Worrall 15 Matthew Renshaw c Alex Carey b Nick Winter 112 Marnus Labuschagne b Joe Mennie 3 Charlie Hemphrey c Jake Lehmann b Joe Mennie