NZ v Aus 2nd Test Preview: Australia on the verge of history

A win or a draw will see Australia move to the summit of the Test rankings. While it will certainly be a historic feat, hosts New Zealand will certainly be no pushover. It is also no secret that the Aussies have been inconsistent in Tests away from home. The only Test series they won was in the Caribbean in 2015 against a horrific West Indies side. The canvas of the big picture will without a doubt be Brendon McCullum. As the charismatic Kiwi skipper leads his side out for the final tie in Tests, the emotion within the side will be extremely high.

Pitch Behavior

The Christchurch wicket is expected to be similar to the one played at Wellington. Coach Mike Hesson has also made it clear that he is expecting yet another wicket that will assist Tim Southee and Trent Boult. The overcast conditions will also be key for Hesson’s men. Should they face the prospect of batting first on the green-top, his seamers will be able to exploit the conditions even on day 2 and maybe even day 3. Australian skipper Steven Smith also attested that the pitch bore a peculiar resemblance to the previous Test. “I think it actually looks pretty similar to the last wicket the day before the game,” Smith said. “It’s quite hard to tell how it’s going to play until you get out there on the morning of the game when they’ve given it a roll and you see it for the last time.”

New Zealand team news

Doug Bracewell is set to miss the second Test with an undisclosed injury. Matt Henry is favourite to replace him. Due to the pitch conditions, spinner Mark Craig faces the prospect of missing the game. He could be replaced by Neil Wagner.

Australia team news

Despite the Aussies flying high at the moment, their bowling attack has received a severe blow. An injury to Peter Siddle has seen the Australians recall James Pattinson. The latter missed the first Test due to fitness and is expected to replace his injured counterpart. Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird will complete the bowling attack. With the behavior of the pitch and other conditions, Siddle’s absence has certainly weakened the Aussie attack.

Key talking points

Apart from the huge injury list, the Kiwis are currently worried about the form of Kane Williamson. Williamson is clearly the most technically sound batsman in the Kiwi side and has been an important part of the side since his arrival in the side. The vice-captain of the New Zealand side has had trouble with the swinging ball outside off stump. Williamson will be looking to act on his weakness as he takes the mantle of captaincy from Brendon McCullum.

In spite of his exploits in the limited-overs’ format, David Warner’s Test form is quite concerning. Being the vice-captain of the side, Warner hasn’t made a Test century since the series against Pakistan in Dubai 2014.

The Number game

1. Australia will clinch the no.1 spot in the official ICC rankings for Tests should they either win or draw against New Zealand at Christchurch.

2. New Zealand has come back from 1-0 down to tie a Test series against Australia on just 2 occasions. The first time came in 1993 and second more recently in 2011.

3. The Kiwis won the previous Test at Christchurch in 2014 against Sri Lanka.

4. This will be Brendon McCullum’s 432nd International match, 2nd most by NZ player.

Australia (Playing XI):

Steve Smith (C), Joe Burns, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (WK), Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, James Pattinson

New Zealand (Probable XI):

Brendon McCullum (C), Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Mark Craig, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling (WK), Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Henry Nicholls