Check our Dream 11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st Test on February 29th
After a one-sided T20I series, now New Zealand are set to host Australia in the first of the two matches Test series starting from Thursday. New Zealand easily secured a 2-0 win over second string South African side earlier this month whereas Australia are heading into the series on the back of a 1-1 draw against West Indies.
The Tegel Test Series starts tomorrow in Wellington! 🏆 The teams will also be competing for the Trans-Tasman Trophy, with Australia the current holders. #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/hGti5tzrjM
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2024
Match Details:
New Zealand vs Australia, 1st Test
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Date & Time: February 29th-March 4th at 3:30 AM IST and 11:00 AM Local Time
Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
What is the Pitch Report for NZ vs AUS, 1st Test?
It’s a resulted-oriented surface with pitch playing flat for the first two days and it gradually starts to seam from the 3rd day making it difficult for the batters to survive. Batting first is a good option.
Recent form:
New Zealand: Won, Won, Won, Lost, Won
Australia: Lost, Won, Won, Won, Won
NZ vs AUS, 1st Test Probable Winners:
Australia are expected to win this match.
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs AUS, 1st Test?
New Zealand
Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, William O’Rourke
Australia
Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Preparation ✔️ The team’s final training session today in Wellington ahead of the first Tegel Test against Australia at the Basin Reserve. Follow play LIVE in NZ from 11:00am with @TVNZ+, TVNZ DUKE, @SENZ_Radio and The ACC. @FoxCricket and @kayosports in Australia 📲 #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/D5Qn0Bw2TR
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2024
Injury Updates:
Devon Conway has been ruled out of the 1st Test due to a thumb injury and Henry Nicholls will replace him in the New Zealand squad. Rachin Ravindra has declared fit to take part in the 1st Test after missing a couple of T20Is due to knee soreness while Daryl Mitchell is also set for a return after recovering from a heel injury.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for NZ vs AUS, 1st Test?
Top Pick – Batter
Kane Williamson had a mind-blowing Test series against the second-string South African side earlier this month, amassing 403 runs in 2 matches which includes 3 centuries.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Rachin Ravindra made the opportunity count in the two matches Test series against South Africa, finishing as the second leading run-scorer with 301 runs at an average of 75.25 with the best score of 240 and even delivered with the ball, picking up 6 wickets.Top Pick – Bowler
Tim Southee loves bowling here at Basin Reserve as he claimed 59 wickets in 16 Test matches with the best figures of 6 for 68 and needs two more to surpass Chris Martin’s tally of 60 wickets to become the leading wicket-taker at this venue.
Pouring his heart and soul into every ball for the team. Hear from Neil Wagner following his decision to retire from international cricket. Read more | https://t.co/dNwndRo0R0 #ThanksWags pic.twitter.com/XSW7rrAS9B
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2024
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Tom Blundell had a quiet series against South Africa managing only 20 runs across 3 innings but was excellent behind the stumps where he affected 5 dismissals.
X-Factor:
All eyes will be on Steven Smith as he set to open for the first time outside Australia in Tests. He showed glimpses of his talent as a new opener in the recent Test series against West Indies, making 120 runs in 2 matches with the highest score of 91*.
Green monster? Australia are set for their first Test across the ditch in eight years.#NZvAUS | @Qantas pic.twitter.com/ETWGqmI2oU
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 28, 2024
What are the Fantasy Suggested teams for NZ vs AUS, 1st Test?
1. Tom Blundell, Steven Smith (vc), Kane Williamson (c), Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Cameron Green, Tim Southee, Pat Cummins, Matt Henry
2. Alex Carey, Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell (vc), Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (c)
Steve Smith is “right up there as the best Test cricketer of this generation” according to opening partner Usman Khawaja 🤜🤛 #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/KoYDbD8klb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 27, 2024
Pre-Match Analysis:
New Zealand have to make adjustments to their playing eleven with Daryl Mitchell confirmed to play in the series opener along with Rachin Ravindra. But they miss out on the services of talented Devon Conway for the 1st Test due to a thumb injury he sustained in the preceding T20I series, which means that Will Young will pair up with Tom Latham to open the innings. The good news is that prolific batter Kane Williamson is back to National duty after missing the T20I series as he was on a Paternal leave. Coach Gary Stead is not keen to play veteran fast bowler Neil Wagner who will be calling his time on International cricket after the series. Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O’Rourke will form their pace department and Mitchell Santner will be their major spin weapon. They have won only 8 Tests against Australia in their overall 60 head-to-head appearances. Kiwis currently leads the World Test Championship standings with a PCT of 75.
Australia have already announced their unchanged playing eleven from their previous Test series against West Indies which ended in a stalemate of 1-1. The opening combination of Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja will be tried once again in this series with Cameron Green continuing to play at No.4. The rest of the squad is pretty much obvious with regulars Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey to follow. The bowling department comprises a pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood alongside genuine spinner Nathan Lyon. They maintain a stellar record against the Kiwis having not lost a Test since 2011. Australia are ranked 3rd in the World Test Championship standings with a PCT of 55.
