Australia can take a major stride in their bid to defend the World Test Championship (WTC) by defeating New Zealand in the second Test.
The second match of the two-Test series begins on Friday at the picturesque Hagley Oval, near the centre of Christchurch.
Australia lead 1-0 in the series, meaning they have retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy – a piece of silverware New Zealand haven’t held for three decades.
With the series done and dusted, captain Pat Cummins said the WTC points were a major driving factor.
“It’s easier to point to the World Test Championship to motivate (as this is a) two-match series and each Test match has a lot of points riding on it,” he said.
India sit on top of the WTC table, with third-placed Australia – winners of the 2023 championship – requiring a win to catapult over New Zealand in second.
At Hagley Oval, plenty of attention will be on run-shy Australian batters, including Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey and Steve Smith.
Mitchell Starc could also grab a share of the limelight, sitting just one wicket behind Dennis Lillee’s all-time Test haul of 354.
For New Zealand, the Test is the last chance to avoid a clean sweep by their arch-rival, after the Twenty20 series went Australia’s way 3-0.
Three players will be celebrated among the XI, with Ben Sears to debut alongside Tim Southee and Kane Williamson notching 100 Tests.
Southee was in reflective mood on Thursday, when he admitted underperforming in recent Tests.
In the last year, the 35-year-old has taken more than one wicket in an innings just once: his 2-46 last week at the Basin Reserve, which followed a first innings 0-92 against Australia.
“There’s no hiding from the fact that the currency we deal in as a bowler is wickets, and the last three Test matches I haven’t got the wickets I would have liked,” he said.
“I have probably not been where I should be as the most experienced seamer in the side, but like everyone each week you’re trying to get better.
“Each week you’re trying to go out and put your best foot forward … but there’s no hiding from the fact the last couple of Test matches have been disappointing.
“I know that. I’d always like more wickets and hopefully there’s some to come.”
The only piece of selection intrigue again lies with the Black Caps, who must decide whether to select paceman Scott Kuggeleijn or spinner Mitchell Santner.
Their decision will become clear at the toss, at 10.30am local (8.30am AEDT) before play starts half-an-hour later.
TEAMS
Australia: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn/Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (capt), Ben Sears.
