The first Test between New Zealand and Australia begins on Wednesday at 10pm in Wellington, with Australia the favorites to win the two-match series on 8/13 with a 1-0 lead.
These teams were the first two winners of the ICC World Test Championship, and Australia enjoyed an impressive record against its neighbors in the 21st century, winning nine out of ten Test matches played in New Zealand. I'm leaving it.
New Zealand vs Australia first test tips
- Travis Goes for 50 – 7/4 1st Inning
- Darryl Mitchell 30.5+ runs – 17/20 1st inning
- Will O'Rourke New Zealand Top Bowler – Bottom of 1st innings @ 18/5
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Ready to punish New Zealand bowlers
Travis Head helped Australia beat New Zealand 3-0 in the T20 series, hitting shots of 24, 45 and 33 and was a big threat for the home bowlers in the first Test.
Head, who was man of the match in November's World Cup final win over India, scored a pair in the final Test against the West Indies in Brisbane, but it was his latest impressive performance. It was a rare blemish in the record.
He scored an impressive 119 in the first Test against the Windies, but his next highest score in this match was 50, and the middle-order man is capable of scoring quick runs against tired bowlers.
Head was also named Player of the Match in the 2019 Boxing Day Test against New Zealand, scoring 114 and 28 in Melbourne, as well as his Test performances in Australia and England (seven centuries in just 60 innings). and 1450 points) suggest he should improve on this tour. .
Mitchell should get some runs at Basin Reserve.
New Zealand defeated a depleted South Africa 2-0 with Kane Williamson scoring 118, 109, 43, and 133 runs in four scoreless innings, preparing them for the match against Australia.
The number three will be desperate to extend his winning streak against Australia, with Williamson and captain Tim Southee on track to earn his 100th Test cap in the second game of the series.
However, Darryl Mitchell is another key member of the Blackcaps' batting unit, and they will need to support him in order to score more than 30.5 points in the first inning with Basin Reserve.
Mitchell missed the second Test against South Africa and the T20s against Australia due to a foot injury, but should be fit to bat at number five in Wellington. He is in the position where he scored three centuries in three matches for England in 2022.
His average batting average after 21 Test matches is 53.46 and his last Test innings with Basin Reserve was against England in February 2023, when he made 57 unbeaten from a total of 126 all outs.
Newcomer O'Rourke ready to start after sensational Test debut
Will O'Rourke, 22, should get the chance to make a strong Test debut as New Zealand's pace attack is without the injured Kyle Jamieson, as well as experienced left-handers Trent Boult and Neil Wagner. .
The tall right-hander, born in Kingston upon Thames, posted records of 4-59 and 5-34 in his first Test appearance and was named Man of the Match against South Africa in Hamilton.
Australia's star-studded top order has seen Proteas captain Neil Brand sent off after both innings, Steve Smith still adjusting to his new role as opener and number three Marnus Labuschagne lacking runs. may cause trouble.
West Indian rookie fast bowler Shamar Joseph dominated Australia in the last Test, taking 7-68 to seal an eight-run victory at the Gabba. O'Rourke hopes to have a similar impact in New Zealand.
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