Back in 2001, New Zealand arrived in Australia to play
against one of the greatest team of all time , by the end of the series
Australian public witnessed a thrilled series where Stephan Fleming’s men gave
tough challenge to the Australian team and the series turned to be one of the
finest series played in Australia in last 30 years
The Reward - Trans Tasman Trophy
There is a buzz
around the Perth as the city awaits the day night test against New Zealand
starting from next week. Never Since the days of Richard Hadlee and Martin
Crowe in 1980s , the New Zealand team has garnered so much attention. It is
obvious , Kane Williamson and boys rank no.2 in Test Match Ranking and have
earned respect for their game and the spirit for playing all across the world.
However Kane Williamson knows that the task which lies in front of New Zealand
is a steep one and they need to play their best cricket to win against a side
which seem to be finding their feet again.
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| Taylor and Williamson has to rise on the occassion |
Daunting Task
for New Zealand
Australia and
New Zealand have played 23 Test series out of which Australia have won 15 of
them and New Zealand winning 3 of them , In Australia these two teams have
played 12 series where Australia have emerged winner 8 times,4 times it have
been draw the only occasion when New Zealand won was in 1985-86 when Sir
Richard Hadlee was at peak of his powers.In last 27 years New Zealand have won
only 1 test against Australia. Some of the best players have came and left
Australian shores,with their confidence and pride battered and bruised.An Away
series win in Australia will require some herculean effort by New Zealand.
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| Neil Wagner will be in focus |
However Kiwis
are capable
Inspite of the
hurdles there are no two thoughts that this New Zealand team is capable of
turning the tables on host. They have a settled batting line up including two
of the finest batsmen ever produced by them. In bowling also they have three
match winning bowlers and arguably their finest pace attack ever.In BJ Watling
and Colin De Grandhomme they have some able all rounders who can uplift their
game anytime. The area which they must be concerned with is the spin department
. Mitchel Santner is good utility player but he is not in the class of Daniel
Vettori. There is no one beyond pace trio who can threaten Australian batsmen .
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| Tim Southee's Swing can be crucial |
Australia’s
Recovering Back
After 15 months
(April 2018-June 2019) of turmoil , Australia seem to be recovering very
quickly, After an impressive Ashes where they drew their first series in
England after 18 years, they blew Pakistan away at home and now are eyeing some
positive times with T-20 I World Cup lined up in next 10 months at home. The
return of David Warner and Stev Smith have given team moral boost and it is
looking in their game and one of the best pace bowling attack in the world
along with world class Nathan Lyon , Australia seem to be recovering back and
are one the track to book a spot in World Test Championship Final in June 2021
at Lords.
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| Australia's no.3 and no.4 are in form |
Few Points of
Concern though
There are still
few chinks in the Australian team , the first one is no. 5 and 6 , Travis Head
and Matthew Wade are still to seal their spot while Tim Paine has also not been
best with the bat off late. The absence of quality second spinner means that
there might be serious problem is Nathan Lyon is injured, a point which Shane
Warne has also pointed out , this is the reason selectors are eyeing to include
a second spinner for Sydney Test .
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| The Best in Business are hungry for More |
Whatever may be
the result the Cricket world would love to witness a hard fought Trans Tasman
Series which might spice up the World Test Championship
Some of the key
facts about Australia and New Zealand rivalry
l Australia and New Zealand have played 57 Tests with
Australia winning 31 and New Zealand winning 08 of them , 18 have ended in
Draw.
l In Australia both teams have locked horns for 31 times
out of which Australia have emerged as winners in 17 Tests while New Zealand
have won 03 tests ,17 have ended in draw.
l Since March 1993 New Zealand won Only 1 Test against
Australia that was the historic victory at Hobart in 2011.
l Till Auckland Test Victory in March 1993 ,which New
Zealand won under Captaincy of Martin Crowe to level series 1-1 at home,Both
teams have played 29 Tests against each other, with Australia winning 11 and
New Zealand 7 of them,11 were draw,It showed both the teams were having good
contests especially from 1980 onwards.
l However since then they have played 28 times out of
which Australia have won 20 Tests while New Zealand have won only 1 test, 7
have resulted in draw, clearly showing that these teams have played more in
last 26 years (1993-2019) than first 47 years (1946-1993) but the contest have
resulted in one sided one.
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