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[Aussie In England]

Test series starts tonight at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. 

Teams have been confirmed:


New Zealand:
1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 Corey Anderson, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Doug Bracewell, 9 Mark Craig, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult



Australia:
1 David Warner, 2 Joe Burns, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Adam Voges, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 Peter Siddle, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jackson Bird

Brendan McCullum's 100th Test match.

Corey Anderson resumes his Test career after a long absence with a back injury. I'm happy with this as he's one of my favourite player  . With Mitchell Santner injured Mark Craig gets another go. Neil Wagner probably a little stiff to miss out.
** big day for Henry Nicholls as well who makes his Test debut in place of the injured Ross Taylor**

For Australia no James Pattinson who is nursing a sore knee. So Jackson Bird edges out Chadd Sayers to earn his 4th cap some 30 months since his last. Also Peter Siddle returns after missing the Sydney Test.

New Zealand are favourites with the very potent seam attack likely to cause Australia's dashing top order a lot of problems.
 

[Alvaro]

Big game for Guptill too. Will be interesting if he can finally translate his pyjama form into Test cricket.
If Warner bats well, this could well be Australia's series.

[Aussie In England]

Big series for Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja as well. Looked the mustard on the flat pitches in Australia but this should prove whether they can do it in tough conditions

[edge]

If the ball moves around, Australia are stuffed, although they have probably a slightly stronger batting lineup than NZ.

[Buzz]

The last time Aus played in NZ Ricky Ponting was captain. In between time Aus have been to India twice, Eng twice, WI Twice and SA Twice.
What is it about playing in NZ that the Australians are afraid of?


(I know the real reason is money...)

[Alvaro]

Big series for Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja as well. Looked the mustard on the flat pitches in Australia but this should prove whether they can do it in tough conditions

I'd back the latter to succeed over the former.

[Aussie In England]

If the ball moves around, Australia are stuffed, although they have probably a slightly stronger batting lineup than NZ.

I'd say the Kiwis have the better batting line up. Australia are good until Voges at 5. Then it's a bit ropey. Marsh isn't proven at Test cricket. Nevill also has to produce more with the bat.

Kiwis have Anderson at 6 and he's already scored a Test 100. Plus Watling at 7 is top class

[edge]

I'd say the Kiwis have the better batting line up. Australia are good until Voges at 5. Then it's a bit ropey. Marsh isn't proven at Test cricket. Nevill also has to produce more with the bat.

Kiwis have Anderson at 6 and he's already scored a Test 100. Plus Watling at 7 is top class

That's probably fair actually, had forgotten about Watling for some reason! Marsh is dire, Smith struggles against the moving ball as does Voges. Khawaja and Burns who knows, Burns hasnt looked great to me though. Anyone know if Nicholls is any good for NZ?

[uknsaunders]

Massive trundle attack put out by Aus. In comparison to starc/johnson/pattinson etc - Bird and Siddle are about as steady as you get. Even Hazelwood isn't really an out and out quickie. Expecting a greentop are we? Might as well of dropped Lyon and recalled Watson from retirement!

Still won't help Aus as they can't play the moving ball. Thankfully the Kiwi's haven't worked it out and are still using those bowling machine balls called Kooks.

[Alvaro]

I've seen Nicholls in a couple of SL ODIs. Looks like he has some classy shots, but seems a bit frenetic and fidgety outside off stump. So like a talented but raw young batter who likes to feel bat on ball.

[Aussie In England]

Henry Nicholls has a very good FC record. Averages north of 50. He's pretty element to watch yet still packs a punch.

[ProCricketer1982]

I do hope it's a nice green top that moves about, much more interesting cricket. Plus, be a better test of batsmanship

[Calzehbhoy]

I do hope it's a nice green top that moves about, much more interesting cricket. Plus, be a better test of batsmanship

Have you seen the pitch? Hard to tell where the strip ends and the square begins....

[ProCricketer1982]

Have you seen the pitch? Hard to tell where the strip ends and the square begins....

Sounds good!

[Calzehbhoy]