Its Trans Tasman showdown at Brisbane by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Event:

New Zealand in Australia 2008/09

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DateLine: 19th November 2008

 

Australia and New Zealand will renew their Trans Tasman rivalry in the first test at Brisbane starting tomorrow. Vettori after his spicy comments about the Australian captain and his teammates in his book has already inadvertently spiced up the series. Calling the Australian captain overtly aggressive, ready to pick up a fight along with teammates Hayden and Symonds, he might have rubbed them the wrong way and might have hit them where it hurts most.

The Aussies after hearing these comments will be raring to go not least their captain. Ponting has been under fire from former players and captains and he would want to set the record straight. Not since the ashes 2005 has an Australian team been under so much fire.At that point of time they had the arsenal at their disposal to not only recover from the ashes defeat but also regain the ashes with a thumping 5-0 win against England in 2007.

At that time they had Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Langer and Martyn. Now they have none of them. Now they have a troubled Symonds and Lee. Their own personal problems to sort out. A bowling attack lacking bite. Spin cupboard bare, barring Jason Krejza who picked 12 wickets on debut in a losing cause against India in Nagpur. Pressure on the batsman to deliver and get big scores on the board. And last but not the least a captain who is under the cosh for some of the decisions he has taken against India. The Australians have a lot of problems to sort out. But they are lucky to have some time as they play depleted Kiwis at home, before South Africa at home and away, which will be a very tough assignment.

But the opposition has its own share of problems. Kiwis have lost a lot of players to retirements and players joining ICL.Their biggest match winner and allrounder Jacob Oram, will miss this series due to a back injury.That is a big blow for their captain who is under tremendous pressure because of lack of performances from the rest of his team mates. He was a one man show in Bangladesh, scoring runs and taking wickets. Other experienced players like Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor will have to shoulder much more responsibilities and carry talented youngsters like Ryder and Flynn along with them.Their bowling looks thin not having much to trouble Australia. Their captain Vettori will still be the lynchpin of the attack. The quicks will have to deliver to keep themselves in the hunt.

All said and done it will be a tall order for the Kiwis as Aussies are playing at home and they would seriously want to shut the critics one by one this season. And New Zealand will only be the beginning of a long season ahead which will see a lot of changes in Australian cricket.More teams would like to seize this opportunity as Australia are at their weakest after their defeat against India. The best for any team to beat Australia in Australia.