Australia VS New Zealand 1st Test at Brisbane

By Sohail Zafar on Wednesday, 30th November 2011

Flamboyant batsman David Warner set to make Test Debut

After an ambitious but comprehensive tour of South Africa, Australia return to their backyard for another two-match series against New Zealand, set to be start in Brisbane on Thursday.

Australia

Barring the hiccup of first Test at Newlands, where they seen the most horrible batting collapse and capitulated for their fourth lowest score of 47 in their second innings to concede hosts a big victory, Aussies enjoyed a flourishing tour. They clinched the preceding one-day series and leveled the Test series with an enterprising victory in the second and final Test at Wanderers.

But the things are quite different as well as horrifying now; five players all-rounder Shane Watson, batsman Shaun Marsh, and frontline fast bowlers Ryan Harris, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Johnson are ruled out of the series-opener after sustaining injuries. Three rookies Ben Cutting, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson will coronate the pace attack alongside Peter Siddle.

Tweny20 specialist David Warner is set to make his Test debut and will open the innings alongside Phillip Hughes. Despite of studding with several inexperienced campaigners Australia still holds an edge over Blackcaps as they have not lost a Test match at Gabba for 23 years.

New Zealand

New Zealand, on the other hand were nearly got defeated by Zimbabwe in the only Test at Bulawayo before arriving Australia. But they showed an improved show in the drawn warm-up game against Australia A with skipper Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder slammed tons.

But capitalizing from the injuries of hosts’ key players, New Zealand not only have a fair-haired opportunity to end their 26-year winning dearth on the Australian soil but also perk up their eighth Test rank.

The track of Gabba is expected to offer some bounce to the seamers with the new ball. The forecast is for rumble and drizzling on the opening day, while showers could also fall on the last two days.

Australia Squad:

Michael Clarke (Captain), David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (Vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Peter Siddle, Ben Cutting, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson.

New Zealand Squad:

Ross Taylor (Captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Reece Young (wicketkeeper).

Australia VS New Zealand 1st Test Ball-By-Ball Updates