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New Zealand set to test inexperienced Australia
Injury-weakened Australia return to test action on home soil this week for the first time since their humiliating Ashes defeat, taking on a New Zealand team convinced conditions might just be right for an upset.
Injury-weakened Australia return to test action on home soil this week for the first time since their humiliating Ashes defeat, taking on a New Zealand team convinced conditions might just be right for an upset.
With five frontline players absent through injury, Australia captain Michael Clarke will dole out at least three baggy green caps to debutants in Brisbane on Thursday before the first of two tests against their trans-Tasman rivals.
One of those caps is almost certain to go to David Warner, who is set to open the batting at the Gabba in place of injured all rounder Shane Watson, with fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Ben Cutting also jockeying to play their maiden tests.
"Experience-wise, it will be one of the weakest," New Zealand captain Ross Taylor said of the Australia team on Wednesday. "We definitely feel we can beat this Australian team."
Squads (from):
Australia: 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.
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Jesse Ryder, Dean Brownlie, Reece Young, Daniel Vettori, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Chris Martin.
