After suffering their worst series defeat in nearly two decades, the Australian cricketers return home to their fortress and prepare to host New Zealand.
Indeed, if you believe the cadre of former Indian captains – such as the legendary Sunil Gavaskar and current chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth – the recent Test series triumph has not only ushered in a new age for Indian cricket, but seen the end of the old world order and the demise of the hegemony that is Australian cricket.
However, a intrepid Ricky Ponting has defied the critics and predicted that the Australians, still the number one ranked team in the world, would win all five home Tests this season, against the seventh ranked Black Caps, and the Proteas – who will arrive on Australian shores as at least the third best nation in the world, and maybe the second, depending on results of their current tour of Bangladesh.
Pending results of the next few months could see the Baggy Greens fall from the lofty perch of the world cricket pedestal if they do not arrest their poor form on the sub-continent.
It is hardly a strong looking Black Caps team, with nearly half of their likely Test team still in their first year of cricket at the highest level. Furthermore, star all rounder Jacob Oram, a player who has a solid record against the Australians, will not tour due to a back injury.
This may be a blessing in disguise though, as New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will promote himself to number seven in the batting order. This will enable the Black Caps to wield a full four man pace battery to complement the finger spin of the captain.
Vettori says that New Zealand is awaiting a deadly counterattack from the under-fire Australians. But as plucky a team as New Zealand is, they realistically do not have the arsenal to punch Australia while they are down.
All of the Australians brandish far superior averages at home, and players such as Brett Lee are true intimidators on the hard pitches of the famous grounds of Brisbane and Adelaide.
However, the beautiful South Australian pitch will be as beneficial to New Zealand’s seam attack as it is to the home team’s.
Some Black Cap players, such as Chris Martin, believe that the targeting of Ponting may be the key to an unlikely success.
“He is the linchpin of their batting order and he can either grind it out or take the game away from you just as quickly. He’s a great opponent; you have to raise your game which is the most exciting prospect for all of us,” Martin said.
New Zealand are currently playing a tour match against New South Wales which will serve as their only warm up before the first Test in Brisbane starting on November 20.
Australia has named a 13 man squad for the series, including a surprise recall for Andrew Symonds, whose domestic form has been poor, posting scores of 5, 5, 26, 0, 43 and 1.
Cameron White has been dropped, and some pundit have said that Shane Watson may be dropped to make way for the hard hitting Queenslander – which would be somewhat of a travesty considering Watson’s solid form in India.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
New Test, same result, same problems for Australia as they finish their tour of New Zealand with a fifth win from five matches. Christchurch,…
At the beginning of this second Test between New Zealand and Australia, the Australians formed a guard of honour for Marais Erasmus standing in…
With his place as Australian wicketkeeper suddenly in jeopardy after a poor run of scores with the bat, Alex Carey's brilliant unbeaten 98 to…
It was 50 years ago that New Zealand recorded their first Test Cricket win over Australia.
A five-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood helped Australia run through New Zealand on the first day in Christchurch, but familiar batting woes have prevented…
New Zealand have tapped uncapped quick Ben Sears for the second Test against Australia, ending hopes of a farewell outing for retired Black Caps…
