Australia vs New Zealand, Australia vs New Zealand 2019, Today Match Prediction 12 Dec 2019

aus vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Australia will be looking to draw first blood when they face arch-rivals New Zealand in the opening game of the three-match series at Perth Stadium on Thursday. With temperatures expected to be higher side, it will be interesting to see how surface plays out in this day-night Test.

Australian Captain Tim Paine will be hoping that the side can bring their A-game to the table in this opening Test. The biggest positive from the Pakistan series was David Warner scored heavily in the two-match series. Expect the side to name unchanged playing XI for this game.

On the other hand, New Zealand has done exceedingly well in Test cricket over the past 18 months. With their historic series against Pakistan in UAE and win against England at home, New Zealand certainly will believe that they have a decent chance of doing well in this three-match Test series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

The home side named their 16-man squad for the three-match series against New Zealand. Cameron Bancroft has dropped from the Test squad as bowling all-rounder Michael Neser has earned his maiden call-up to the national side for the home series. For the Perth Test, the side will be relying on the likes of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith to deliver the bulk of runs. In the two-match series against Pakistan, David Warner found a form with the bat and scored 489 runs with two centuries to his name. Left-hander registered his career-best 335 runs against Pakistan in the day-night Test played at Adelaide Oval.

Middle-order Marnus Labuschagne has been a valuable addition to Australia’s Test side this season. He has been a consistent performer for the side in red-ball cricket and so far accumulated 829 runs in 9 Test matches at an average of 63.76, which includes two centuries and five half-centuries to his name. Labuschagne will be looking to continue his rich vein of form with the bat in this three-match series. After his run marathon in the Ashes series earlier this season, Steven Smith will be looking to score heavily for the side in this three-match series.

Australia’s premier batsman has produced impressive numbers for the side this season. He has scored 814 runs at an average of 90.44 with three centuries to his name. In the bowling department, the pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will need to make early breakthroughs with the new ball in this Test. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon will certainly start as the lone spinner for the side in this game.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Paine (captain &wk), David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Tim Paine, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Joe Burns , Nathan Lyon, Matthew Wade, Steven Smith, David Warner, TM Head, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand Preview

Kane Williamson’s men have done exceedingly well in Test cricket this year. The side has managed to win four out of six Test matches played this season. Pacer Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme will be expected to be fit for the opening game of the series. New Zealand has named their unchanged squad for this three-match series. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the in-form players like Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to produce the bulk of the scoring. Opening batsman Tom Latham has delivered consistent scores for the side at the top of the innings.

Left-hander is currently side’s leading-run scorer in Test cricket this season. Latham has accumulated 525 runs in 6 Test matches at an average of 65.62 with three centuries to his name. Captain Kane Williamson will be one player to watch for New Zealand in this three-match series. The 29-year old has so far accumulated 457 runs at an average of 76.16 with two centuries and two half-centuries to his name.

Middle-order comprising of Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and wicket-keeper BJ Watling have delivered credible performances for New Zealand this season. In the bowling department, Neil Wagner has been in excellent form with the ball in hand. The left-arm medium-pacer has so far claimed 29 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 16.62. Experienced new-ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult will be looking to exploit any assistance off the pitch and make breakthroughs for the side in this game.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, BJ Watling (wk), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry/Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner.

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, Jeet Raval, N Wagner, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, KS Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, BJ Watling, Tom Latham, TG Southee

Weather Conditions

With the drop in surface and pink ball, expect quick bowler to get swing and seam movement. With the high temperatures expected for the game, the surface will deteriorate with uneven bounce coming into the equation.

Venue Details

Perth Stadium in Perth is going to host the first-day night Test between Australia and New Zealand. The side will take heart from fact they won all their day-night Tests in home conditions. On the other hand, New Zealand last win on Australian soil came in 2011 at Bellrieve Oval in Hobart.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and make use of conditions in this Pink-ball Test. The batsmen will certainly need to see off the new-ball in order to score runs on this surface.