After winning the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, Australia will be looking to secure a clean sweep in the second and final Test match.
With Australia dominating proceedings in Wellington and winning the game by 172 runs, it leaves them as firm favourites to wrap up the series in the final Test match of the series.
However, New Zealand will be hoping that star batsman Kane Williamson is able to continue his good form to push the Kiwis to victory.
Dominant Australia looks to expose Kiwi’s frailties once again
Australia is the most dominant and in-form team in Test match cricket. Led by captain Pat Cummins and a formidable batting and bowling line-up, the Aussies has been able to dominate the red ball format of the game.
Since securing the World Test Championship, the Australians have been on a fabulous run, drawing the Ashes 2-2 against England and facing ‘Bazball’ head on, as well as beating South Africa, West Indies, and Pakistan all in a few months is a remarkable achievement.
With a batting line-up containing Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Travis Head and Cameron Green, it makes the challenge of beating the Australians a lot more difficult for any bowling attack.
Aggressive and hostile bowling by Mitchell Starc, Cummins and the accuracy of Josh Hazelwood makes it difficult for batsmen to take runs off their bowling which is what New Zealand could not do down at the Basin Reserve. The spin and accuracy of Nathan Lyon allows him to hold down one end whilst the seamers are rotated on a continuous basis.
Kane Williamson: the key for New Zealand
In order to level the series, New Zealand will be looking to their star batsman Kane Williamson to put valuable runs on the board. The former captain who has seven hundreds in this last eight Tests will be looking to make a valuable contribution after two low scores in the first game.
New Zealand have always relied on Kane Williamson to save them from trouble and his runs will be required again, but other batsmen must step up and support Williamson to exert any sort of pressure on the Australian bowlers.
No fairy-tale return for Neil Wagner
Despite announcing his retirement last week from Tests, a return was on the cards for the veteran seamer after fast bowler Will O’Rourke was ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury. Despite the rumours, Kiwi captain Tim Southee has elected against the return of Wagner who has 260 wickets to his name.
Instead, New Zealand has elected to call up Ben Sears for the second Test in Christchurch. Sears who only has 33 first class games on his record will be looking to make an immediate impact as New Zealand look to level the series.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos