Kiwis tour of Australia, 2011

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New Zealand's hopes of recording their first victory over Australia in almost 20 years have been boosted after a raft of injuries forced their trans-Tasman neighbours to pick a rookie trio of pace bowlers and an opener untried in test cricket. More... Cricket-New Zealand smell blood in Australian waters By Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON | Mon Nov 28, 2011 Nov 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand's hopes of recording their first victory over Australia in almost 20 years have been boosted after a raft of injuries forced their trans-Tasman neighbours to pick a rookie trio of pace bowlers and an opener untried in test cricket. The first match in their two-test series begins on Thursday at the Gabba with Ross Taylor's team brimming with confidence while Australia are dealing with the withdrawal of five players due to injuries sustained in South Africa. Several of New Zealand's players have also showed some good form in their warm-up match against Australia A, smashing almost 900 runs in their two innings off an attack that includes pace bowlers Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Ben Cutting, who were all named in the first test squad. Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder all blasted centuries in the match, while medium pace bowler Doug Bracewell underlined his burgeoning all-round abilities with a swashbuckling 73 not out. Kane Williamson and Dean Brownlie also posted big scores in first class cricket in New Zealand before the team went to Australia, with Williamson patiently compiling 284 not out against Wellington and the 21-year-old now seems to be comfortable with the rhythm of international cricket. The batting lineup is likely to feature the same six that played against Australia A with the only real question mark over the number six position when former captain Daniel Vettori comes back into the team for the test. Vettori has developed into a competent batsman, averaging 38.92 with four centuries and 11 half-centuries in the past five years, compared to his career average of 30.27. The 32-year-old could occupy the number six spot should New Zealand decide to play him as a spinner who can bat and go with a four-pace bowling battery on the traditionally fast Gabba pitch. If they decide on the more balanced approach with Ryder taking the fourth seamer's role, though he has been told to scale back his bowling to lessen the chance of recurring injuries, then the uncapped Trent Boult is likely to miss out. New Zealand's bowling attack remains an issue and they still lack an out and out strike weapon since Shane Bond was forced to retire after injuries curtailed his career. Chris Martin will again lead the attack though medium-fast bowler Tim Southee could be the player to exploit the atmospheric conditions in Brisbane and extract swing against a batting lineup that still includes the vastly experienced Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin. New Zealand fans will also keenly follow the captaincy of Taylor in his first major test since he was appointed to replace Vettori in June, to see if he can inspire his side to their first test win against Australia since 1993. New Zealand have also not won across the Tasman since 1985, when they won their only series in Australia. FACTBOX-New Zealand v Australia - Factbox ahead of the two-test series between New Zealand and Australia. The first test at the Gabba in Brisbane starts on Dec. 1. Overall record Played: 50 Australia: W 26 New Zealand: W 7 Draws: 17 First match March 29-30, 1946 -- New Zealand were bowled out for 42 in the first innings and 54 in their second in the first test match between the two sides, which was played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Australia had scored 199 for eight declared in their first innings as they wrapped up the scheduled three-day match before tea on the second day with legspinner Bill O'Reilly taking match figures of eight wickets for 33 runs. Because of the gulf between the two sides they did not meet again in a test until late 1973 -- a gap of almost 28 years. Most recent match March 27-31, 2010 -- Ross Taylor stroked 138 in New Zealand's first innings to give his side a slim 33-run lead at Seddon Park, but Australia simply hunkered down in their second innings with Simon Katich scoring a century, while Marcus North stroked his way to 90 as six of the top seven batsmen passed 40 to give Australia a lead of 478 and the hosts little opportunity of achieving he target to level the two-match series. Mitchell Johnson ripped through New Zealand's batting taking six for 73 to bowl his side to a 179-run victory and series sweep. New Zealand's recent record against Australia * New Zealand have not won a test against Australia since 1993, when they won by five wickets at Eden Park, Auckland. That run includes 21 matches, with Australia winning 15 of the games while six have been drawn. * Australia have won seven of the 10 test series between the two countries in Australia, with two series drawn -- in 1989 when New Zealand's Mark Greatbatch batted for almost 11 hours to save the only test in Perth and in 2001 when all three matches were drawn after being badly effected by weather. * New Zealand's only test series victory in Australia was in 1985 when they were inspired by fast bowler Richard Hadlee, who took 33 wickets at an average of 12.15. * Hadlee's total included his career best nine for 52 in the first innings at the Gabba in Brisbane. He also took a catch to give offspinner Vaughan Brown his only test wicket, which prevented him from becoming the second player to take all 10 wickets in a test innings. * New Zealand's two test victories in the 1985 series are their only test wins in Australia. Recent results 2010 Australia won by 10 wickets, Wellington 2008 Australia won by an innings and 62 runs, Adelaide 2008 Australia won by 149 runs, Brisbane 2005 Australia won by nine wickets, Auckland 2005 Match drawn, Wellington 2005 Australia won by nine wickets, Christchurch Teams New Zealand (likely): Ross Taylor (captain), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Jesse Ryder, Dean Brownlie, Reece Young, Daniel Vettori, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Chris Martin. Australia (from): Michael Clarke (captain), Phillip Hughes, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Ben Cutting Schedule Dec. 1-5 1st test, Brisbane Dec. 9-13 2nd test, Hobart

[J P K]

Have no intentions to retire, says Ponting Sydney, Nov 24 (IANS) Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that he has no plans of retiring any time soon and asked the selectors in his no-nonsense way to give him some time. 'Of course, (I want to keep playing). I really enjoy it and always have,' Ponting said after arriving here Wednesday night from Johannesburg. The Age reported that newly appointed chief selector John Inverarity has given Ponting a positive vibe during a conversation in South Africa before the former skipper helped Australia level the series with a vital 62 in the second innings at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. 'It's a great team to be a part of...I want to be around and hopefully be able to have some sort of impact,' said Ponting. Former selector Greg Chappell, himself an ex-Australian captain, believes Ponting should be retained. 'I don't want to see him retire. I think he's an important cog in the regeneration of the Australian side. You don't discard champions lightly...when you've got one who's still committed and keen to play his part in Australian cricket, I'd be giving him a bit more time yet,' Chappell was quoted as saying by The Age. Clarke, who has a vote at selection along with coach Mickey Arthur, said Ponting had shown his value. 'His experience around the group is like no other and has played a big part in our success. I've been watching Ricky bat in the nets, I know he's in good nick ... But the reality is he needs to continue to perform better than he has done of late to stay in the team. He's made no bones about that,' the captain said. http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/story/cricket.indiaabroad.com/have-no-intentions-retire-says-ponting-20111124/

[akshayxyz]

Interesting part is Chappell's comment - "You don't discard champions lightly" There are the people who were calling for SRT's head, when he was going through lean patch.

[vvvslaxman]

Australian selection committee of past would have dumped Ricky in a herat beat. Still remember how they dumped Damien Martyn after one failed series. Careers of Waugh twins were not exactly secure.

[zen]

Interesting part is Chappell's comment - "You don't discard champions lightly" There are the people who were calling for SRT's head, when he was going through lean patch.

:omg: what a conspiracy! .... not a chance where he has supposed to have learned from that to not discard champs

[carnish]

stupid ponting is not going to let rahul retire in peace:((

[King Tendulkar]

Selfish

[vamos_rafa]

India :((

[Ultimate_Game]

Interesting part is Chappell's comment - "You don't discard champions lightly" There are the people who were calling for SRT's head, when he was going through lean patch.

Remember the maxim "Do as I say, not what I do". Chappells live by the same.

[Ultimate_Game]

Agree fully with Ponting. He shouldn't retire just to make way for others. It's the selectors who have to make that call, not Ponting.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

what happened to this reputation the aussies hd of being 'RUTHLESS' and following the 'PERFORM OR PERISH' mantra? what a joke. not that i'm complaining. if austraya wanna carry a passenger in their batting lineup, thats fine by me.

[mishra]

Never imagined that one day aussie cricket would have declined so much that they have to rely so much on one player.... :whack: He will get it from selectors soon.....

[akshayxyz]

:omg: what a conspiracy! .... not a chance where he has supposed to have learned from that to not discard champs

abey hero, that was my whole point.. how a single person can defy and change outlook of conventional 'wise' people.

[bear23]

clearly selfish. Can not think of any other reason for him to stay.

[zen]

abey hero' date=' that was my whole point.. how a single person can defy and change outlook of conventional 'wise' people.[/quote'] No explaination is needed as I was just playing "you" for a change :P

[Magneto]

This news makes Ishant happy. He'll again have sweet dreams about his bunny.

[MCcricket]

He is waiting on Ishant, hope he is selected, will be good for India, was a good player but a bad sportsman.

[punjabi_khota]

what selfish ? dude if people are not selfish, no one would anything . He has every right to keep playing if selected. cmon.

[cowboysfan]

ponting can still play,just watch him against the kiwis and our bowling.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

ponting can still play' date='just watch him against the kiwis and our bowling.[/quote'] watch him doing what? FAILING? guy couldnt even score against sri lanka