As the cricketing world farewells Bob Willis the two teams from the Tasman prepare to do battle in a 3 test and 3 one day series over the Christmas - New Year period.
Second ranked powerhouse NZ take on the steadily improving Aust in a highly anticipated series that could produce some hard fought and entertaining cricket.
Fixtures:
1) 12th December, Perth. Day/Nighter
2) 26th December, MCG
3) 3rd January, Sydney.
Then 2 x ODI's over games in Sydney and 1 in Hobart.
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NZ awaiting on fitness of two key players and hopeful the lack of a day/night test wont effect them too much.
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New Zealand are "quietly optimistic" that Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme will be fit to play in Australia.
In an ideal world, New Zealand would probably have time to reflect on an excellent series victory over England - their fifth home series win in succession and their second over England in little more than 18 months - before heading into another Test campaign. But such are the schedules in modern international cricket that they will instead be obliged to go into a day-night Test in Perth without any sort of warm-up game. Instead, three training sessions - two of which are under lights - will have to suffice.
Aust leave out Bancroft, Pattinson is off suspension and the bowling merry-go-round continues.
www.espncricinfo.com
Cameron Bancroft has been left out of Australia's 13-man squad for the Test series against New Zealand, which starts in Perth next week, in an otherwise unchanged group from the one which swept Pakistan 2-0 with a brace of innings victories.
James Pattinson, who was ruled out of the opening Test against Pakistan after his code of conduct suspension, and the uncapped Michael Neser remain the support pace-bowling options.
Rotation was a theme among Australia's pace attack in the Ashes but barring any injuries it would be a surprise if they changed the current trio for the opening Test against New Zealand. Mitchell Starc, who took 14 wickets at 17 in the two Tests, grimaced at times in Pakistan's second innings in Adelaide, but Tim Paine was confident there was no significant concern.
So heat up those meat pies and grab a can of L&P out of the chilly bin and settle in for some mighty fine cricket!
Second ranked powerhouse NZ take on the steadily improving Aust in a highly anticipated series that could produce some hard fought and entertaining cricket.
Fixtures:
1) 12th December, Perth. Day/Nighter
2) 26th December, MCG
3) 3rd January, Sydney.
Then 2 x ODI's over games in Sydney and 1 in Hobart.
NZ in AUS | 2019 New Zealand tour of Australia | Live Score, Schedule, News
Check NZ in AUS live score 2019, squads, match schedules, NZ in AUS points table, fixtures, updates, photos, and videos on ESPNcricinfo.
www.espncricinfo.com
NZ awaiting on fitness of two key players and hopeful the lack of a day/night test wont effect them too much.
New Zealand 'quietly optimistic' on Boult, de Grandhomme being fit for Australia
Both players will have to prove their bowling fitness before New Zealand fly to Perth on Saturday, says coach
www.espncricinfo.com
New Zealand are "quietly optimistic" that Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme will be fit to play in Australia.
In an ideal world, New Zealand would probably have time to reflect on an excellent series victory over England - their fifth home series win in succession and their second over England in little more than 18 months - before heading into another Test campaign. But such are the schedules in modern international cricket that they will instead be obliged to go into a day-night Test in Perth without any sort of warm-up game. Instead, three training sessions - two of which are under lights - will have to suffice.
Aust leave out Bancroft, Pattinson is off suspension and the bowling merry-go-round continues.
Cameron Bancroft left out of settled Australia Test squad to face New Zealand
James Pattinson and Michael Neser remain the reserve quick bowlers in the 13-man squad
www.espncricinfo.com
Cameron Bancroft has been left out of Australia's 13-man squad for the Test series against New Zealand, which starts in Perth next week, in an otherwise unchanged group from the one which swept Pakistan 2-0 with a brace of innings victories.
James Pattinson, who was ruled out of the opening Test against Pakistan after his code of conduct suspension, and the uncapped Michael Neser remain the support pace-bowling options.
Rotation was a theme among Australia's pace attack in the Ashes but barring any injuries it would be a surprise if they changed the current trio for the opening Test against New Zealand. Mitchell Starc, who took 14 wickets at 17 in the two Tests, grimaced at times in Pakistan's second innings in Adelaide, but Tim Paine was confident there was no significant concern.
So heat up those meat pies and grab a can of L&P out of the chilly bin and settle in for some mighty fine cricket!
