Re: New Zealand in Australia
First Test - Australia vs New Zealand at the Woolloongabba, Brisbane
The start of the Australian summer is upon us and it can’t come quick enough for the Aussies who struggled in their 2-0 loss to India on the sub-continent. Their bowlers will be happy to be back on home soil with the Gabba pitch in Brisbane expected to seam and swing nicely marking a big change from the flat pitches experience in India.
Australia will be hoping to do well here and it is almost expected of them after a disappointing tour of India which brought up more questions then answers. A number of batsmen will come under the pump, not to mention the underperforming bowling attack who found it hard to take wickets in India.
For New Zealand, the tour represents a chance to bond with Daniel Vettori leading a very inexperienced outfit. The Kiwis did reasonably well against Bangladesh after a couple of scares but they were well beaten by England back in the middle of the year. Despite being in the middle of the order rankings wise, these two sides always seem to be evenly matched with each series played between the two going close regardless of who’s in form and who isn’t.
For Australia, Andrew Symonds is back in the line-up after his imposed exile. Despite taking 12 wickets and Man-of-the-Match honours on debut, Jason Krejza will probably carry the drinks with the Brisbane pitch going to heavily favour the seamers. That will mean Stuart Clark returns to the side after being dropped for the Nagpur test. Cameron White has also been axed after a poor showing in India.
Chris Martin is back for the Kiwis after missing the Bangladesh tour with injury whilst Tim Southee is relegated to 12th man duties. Grant Elliott takes the all-rounder role with the dangerous Jacob Oram missing through injury. Expect Gareth Hopkins to play if Brendon McCullum doesn’t recover in time from back and foot complaints.
Expect a pretty good contest in this one. New Zealand haven’t been great in recent times but I reckon they’ll give Australia a run for their money here as the Aussies look to recover after their tour from India. Australia will be looking to silence a few critics and what better way than to beat their Trans-Tasman rivals.
Australia XI (probable): Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, *Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, +Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark
In: Andrew Symonds, Stuart Clark
Out: Cameron White (omitted), Jason Krejza (omitted)
New Zealand XI (probable): Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, +Brendon McCullum, Daniel Flynn, Grant Elliott, *Daniel Vettori, Iain O'Brien, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin
In: Chris Martin
Out: Jeetan Patel (omitted)
Umpires: Billy Doctrove and Rudi Koertzen
3rd Umpire: Rod Tucker
Weather:
(Temperatures in Degrees Celcius)
Thursday: Thundery Rain, 28
Friday: Fine, 30
Saturday: Afternoon Shower or Storm, 30
Sunday: Fine, 26
Monday: Fine, 26
Betting:
Australia $1.40
Draw $3.75
New Zealand $9.00
Game starts at 10am local time (12am GMT).
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