After being whitewashed in a T20I series, New Zealand are now set to host Australia in two Tests. The opening match of the two-match series will begin on February 29. The five-day contest will be held at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Australia have come with a full-strength team, which will be led by their regular captain Pat Cummins.
In the absence of David Warner, Steve Smith will open the innings along with Usman Khawaja. The visitors are expected to play with two all-rounders – Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green. The pace department will feature the duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, while Nathan Lyon will be the only spinner of the side.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will miss the services of Devon Conway. The opener has been ruled out of the series due to a thumb injury that he sustained during the second match of the recently concluded T20I series against Australia. Replacing Conway, Will Young will pair up with Tom Latham in the opening slots.
Henry Nicholes, who was absent from the last Test series against South Africa, has been recalled to bolster the batting unit. Young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has also been cleared to appear in the first Test. He skipped the first two T20Is owing to knee soreness.
Dream11 Prediction:
Fantasy Player Picks for NZ vs AUS
Captain: Mitchell Santner
Vice-captain: Cameron Green
Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey
Batters: Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Will Young
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Cameron Green
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Tim Southee, Josh Hazlewood
NZ vs AUS Probable XIs
NZ Probable XI: Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Henry Nicholes, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), William O’Rourke
AUS Probable XI: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
NZ vs AUS Full Squad
NZ Full Squad For First Test: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Henry Nicholes, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
AUS Full Squad For First Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
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