Australia vs New Zealand 2015 1st Test: Match Preview

Brendon McCullum and Steven Smith pose with the Trans-Tasman Trophy ahead of the first test

Hosts Australia will face their first real test since the retirement of erstwhile skipper Michael Clarke, when they take on their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in a short test series beginning in Brisbane from Thursday. In particular spotlight is Steven Smith, will lead in his first full assignment as Test skipper.

The series between the two neighbours will go down in the record books as the first test series to involve day-night test matches and the use of pink balls. The talented hosts will face the daunting task when they face the much-experienced Kiwis, who are being led by their brave skipper, Brendon McCullum.

Revenge will be the foremost thing on the Kiwis’ mind, as they look to avenge their World Cup final loss earlier this year. The series overall promises to be an exciting affair between two good teams and for the brand new bunch of cricketers from Australia, this will be their first real test.

The Trans-Tasman series will be keenly contested and it will be hard to pick a favourite. New Zealand though, with their much-experienced squad, will look to clinch their first series win in Australia in 30 years. For the hosts, it will be the beginning of a new era in Tests, after the retirements of Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson.

Team News

Australia

Mitchell Starc will share the new ball with Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazelwood. Peter Siddle will be unlucky to miss out, as he was named the 12th man. Australia ‘A’ star Joe Burns will open the batting with the experienced Warner.

The captain will continue to bat at number 4, and Usman Khawaja will take the crucial number 3 slot. Peter Nevill will continue to keep wickets and Nathan Lyon will be the main spinner for the hosts. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Adam Voges complete the strong middle-order.

New Zealand

Corey Anderson will be the prominent name missing from the Kiwis squad, as the all-rounder is yet to recover from an injury. Doug Bracewell will boost the fast bowling department which already has the likes of the lethal pace duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Another pacer Matt Henry will be seen missing as he makes way for Bracewell. New Zealand will heavily depend on the pacers Southee and Boult, to provide them early breakthrough and gain momentum. Tom Latham will be seen opening the batting with Martin Guptill.

Pitch & Conditions

The Gabba wicket is likely to assist seamers early on, before the pitch starts slowing down steadily. The temperature is expected to be mostly pleasant, with hardly any threats of late evening showers. The batsmen will look to make the most of the conditions early on in the test match, before the pitch actually begins to open up.

Recent Form

Australia: W-L-L-W-LNew Zealand: W-L-W-W-W

Line -Ups:

Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling (wk), Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

Broadcast Details:

Date:05th November 2015

Time: 05:30 IST; 00:00 GMT.

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

TV Channel: Star Sports 2, SS HD 2.

Key Stats

1. This will be Steven Smith’s first full series as test captain and also his first test playing against New Zealand.

2. New Zealand will be hoping to register their first test series win since 1985.

3. Australia have not lost a test match at The Gabba since 1988.

4. Australia have lost just 3 series in the past 22 years playing at home.