Black Caps battle it out against the Baggy Greens in a weeks time by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Event:

New Zealand in Australia 2008/09

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DateLine: 13th November 2008

 

Not since 1985-86 have New Zealand won a test match in Australia. Those were the great allrounder Richard Hadlee's days. He along with Martin Crowe single handedly won a test match in Australia.His figures of 9-52 still rank as his best in Brisbane. There core group of players like their opening batsmen John Wright, Martin Crowe, Richard Hadlee, Jeremy Coney and Evan Chatfield took New Zealand cricket to great heights.

Richard Hadlee got 33 wickets in the 3 test series in Australia in 85-86. That was the last time they won a test as well as series there. It was 2-1 in their favour. Martin Crowe's brilliant 188 in Brisbane along with Richard Hadlee's 9 for 52 set up the series win.They were so consistent in that series that Australia had no answers.

Since then it has been down hill for New Zealand in Australia.They drew a rain marred test series in 2002 where there was no results in all the three tests under Stephen Fleming. But they went on to knock Steve Waugh's team out of the odi tournament.A great achievement considering the fact that they were invincible at that point of time. Steve Waugh henceforth lost his captaincy and place in the odi team.Stephen Fleming proved to be an inspirational captain.

Apart from these two series there is nothing to write home about the Black Caps performance.This time around it seems to be no different .The kangaroos are hurting after their dismal performance in India.Ponting has already sounded a warning after copping criticism from all quarters.He would want to win each match convincingly. So Kiwis will be the first team to bear the brunt. They themselves have had a very poor series in Bangladesh.Without their captain Daniel Vettori they could have lost both their test matches.Never before has one single man influenced the series so much.

New Zealand team is extremely depleted. They have lost lot of players like Astle, Mcmillan, Stephen Fleming through retirements. Bond joining the ICL has left them thin in the pace department.Filling these gaps won't be easy as would also be Jacob Oram's.Jacob Oram is out with a back injury.

The Kiwis will be heavely dependent on the experience of Brendon Mccullum their wicketkeeper.McCullum has always done well against the Aussies.They bring the best in him.The fact that Vettori has become a proper batsman shows the New Zealand batting in poor light.With Ross taylor not fulfilling his potential the newcomers will have to take the pressure straight away come 20th at the Brisbane Gabba.

Ryder, Redmond, Flynn were the players who impressed in Bangladesh. Along with How and Fulton they would want to kick start their careers on a positive note in the toughest land to play cricket. If they succeed it will go a long way in shaping up their careers.This tour toughens one up mentally.They will have to be content with the fury of the Aussie quick Brett Lee who has been under fire for his poor performance in India.

Coming to the bowlers Vettori will lead the attack. The fast men though will enjoy the pace and bounce in Gabba. The young pace bowler O'brien along with Mills and Southee will want to make an impact on these bouncy pitches as they had nothing for them on the slow tracks in Bangladesh. Vettori will want to continue with his good work in Bangladesh as he has already troubled the Aussies before. He will know better than anyone else that Kiwis are surely are the underdogs by a big margin going into this series.

Australia on the other hand have a few things to ponder about. Even though they are firm favourites to thrash New Zealand. Ricky Ponting has been under fire for his negative tactics and soft approach. He has already sounded the alarm bells by saying that he would be extremely ruthless and so would be his team this whole season and win every test match. He did it already once winning 16 straight test matches after losing the Ashes in 2005.

The fact that Australia have dominated every team in the world except India, will help them recover from this debacle in the next year or so. Australia will want to recover quickly from the retirements of their greats.This is the best chance with a weak Kiwi side. But later on they will have to play South Africa at home and away and that won't be easy.

Players to watch out for Australia will be Lee, Ponting, Hayden, Hussey,Johnson and Michael Clarke. They will be really hurting after there below par performance in India. With Symonds back in the squad after suspension there will be a lot more energy in this Aussie team than we saw in India. Add Watson to it and the team looks like a well round unit. Symonds will be much more relaxed making a comeback in front of his home crowd.

Ponting and Hayden would want to turn into run machines after their mediocre performance in India. Inspite of Ponting scoring his first century in India he always looked uncomfortable against Ishant and Harbhajan. Whereas Hayden struggled against Zaheer. Hussey though had a good tour never dominated. So did Katich. Michael Clarke would want to keep himself fit after the tummy bug that hit him in India.

Brad Haddin replacing Adam Gilchrist is a tall order but he would want to improve his keeping and batting to stay in the reckoning with Luke Ronchi breathing down his neck.

On the bowling front Brett Lee would want to improve on his performance in India. It is a tour he would want to forget after the famous spat with his captain.Johnson will be a good prospect on these pitches and now he is hitting speeds faster than Lee. With Stuart Clarke and Peter Siddle to round the pace bowling line up they look good in their home conditions.

Jason Krejza the off spinner who made a great debut in Nagpur will want to do well at home. It will be a great challenge to him as there is not much on offer for the spinners. Warne can never be replaced but Krejza would want to contribute towards the team on a regular basis.

Watch out Kiwis the wounded Kangaroos are coming and they will be coming really hard.