Australia vs New Zealand, 1st Test, Perth: Preview, likely XIs, prediction

As the decade approaches an end, Australia will host New Zealand for the 3-Test Trans-Tasman series as part of the ICC World Test Championship. The first of these Tests will be played at Perth Stadium, under lights.

This is an unusual scenario given their history. New Zealand are currently placed second in ICC Test rankings for the first time in their history, while Australia are at fifth. Despite that, however, Australia are expected to be back to their indomitable best at home.

Buoyed by the return of Steven Smith and David Warner, Australia have been in excellent form in Test cricket this year. They had retained the Ashes in England this summer, and absolutely decimated Pakistan at last month. They would take some beating.

Back home, David Warner is back to his intimidating self that makes him so dangerous at home. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith have been immovable at Nos. 3 and 4, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon are the most destructive bowlers for these conditions.

New Zealand, too, have an enviable pace attack that will definitely benefit from the pink ball under lights. There is still no confirmation on Trent Boult’s availability for the Test. If he has to sit out, it will be a major blow for New Zealand. Lockie Ferguson may make his debut in that case.

While Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, and BJ Watling are in terrific form, a lot of New Zealand’s batting success will depend on their senior men, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, who have done magnificently here over years. This is probably New Zealand’s greatest ever batting line-up, and if they deliver, who knows?

Head to head

Australia hold a 31-8 lead here. In this century the record is even more lopsided in their favour (16-1). On Australian soil, the respective numbers read 17-3 and 8-1 respectively.

Key players

Marnus Labuschagne (Australia): With 829 runs, Labuschagne is the leading run-scorer of the year, 15 ahead of Smith’s tally. With 185 and 162 against Pakistan and 4 fifties in the Ashes, he is in tremendous form, and will want to push himself for that 1,000-run mark.

BJ Watling (New Zealand): Arguably the best wicketkeeper to swing bowling in contemporary cricket, Watling has scores of 77, 105*, 205, and 55 in his last four innings. He will play a crucial role in this series.

Likely XIs

Australia: Joe Burns, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult (if fit, otherwise Lockie Ferguson).

Prediction

Australia to secure a hard-earned win.