New Zealand’s tour of Australia kicks off later today, with a mouth-watering day-night Test in Perth set to be an absolute cracker.
Both teams come into this series in reasonably good form, with the Kiwis looking superb on home soil against England, while Australia were able to put a hapless Pakistan to the sword in Tests at Brisbane and Adelaide.
There’s a been a lot of rumblings that this Black Caps XI may the very best ever to tour Australia – with former New Zealand international Brendon McCullum even saying so. Is he on the money?
We were joined by Roar cricket expert David Schout on the Game of Codes podcast to preview the Test at Perth, work out who the x-factor players for both sides are and make a call on how it will all go down.
Listen to the discussion:
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Gomez
Guest
Australia are an elite sports team playing in their home conditions. This is as big a challenge as there is in world cricket. The best chance for NZ is all out attack via a shock weapon like Ferguson and with the bumper onslaught of Wagner adding to the assault. If they both play, this attack is going to look quite different to previous NZ attacks on Aussie shores which have been based on bowlers in the 130's looking to get some swing & ending up mainly getting taken to the cleaners when it doesn't materialize. The batsmen will have to get the kind of totals that the bowlers can defend, and stay patient and stay in the fight. Partnerships will be key. CDG adds some all-rounder muscle and can give the ball a thump. Let battle commence!
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
You've got to back Aussie don't you. Best attack in the world at home. Best Test batsman and one of the great openers. And young Marnus looks to have a bright future. But these Black Caps are not going to lie down; they believe they can compete. Let the battle commence...
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
It will be close i think.
Rob
Guest
No. 3-0 to the Aussies. Maybe 2-0 if the MCG is a road.