Match Details:
Australia will face New Zealand in the first Test of the 3-match Test series at the Perth Stadium in Perth starting December 12. It will be a Day/Night affair and will begin at 1 PM local time (5 AM GMT).
Preview:
The Trans-Tasman trophy between Australia and New Zealand will kickstart with the first Test at Perth Stadium on December 12. Both the teams will arrive with some great form leading into the first Test. Australia has trounced Pakistan in the recently hosted two Tests, while the visitors bring in the
confidence of their 1-0 victory over England in their last home series. However, if history between the two teams is to be believed, Australia starts as overwhelming favorites also because of some of their players’ red-hot form which holds them in good stead against New Zealand.
The Kiwis will face an uphill task if they are to secure their maiden Test series win against the Aussies since 1990. Both the teams will, however, focus on the opening Test to grab some advantage early on in the series.
Weather Conditions/Report:
Being in the western part of Australia, Perth usually is a degree or two hotter than the rest of the country. The weather is expected to stay clear throughout the five days of the Test match. During the day, the temperatures might scale to mid-30s and might cool down during the evening. There are minimal chances of rain while post Day 3, it can be reasonably cloudy.
Pitch Conditions/ Report:
The pitch in the newly built Perth Stadium is known to assist fast bowlers with an extra bit of bounce. It will be a problem for the batsman to adjust to the pace of the wicket especially when both the teams boast of quality seam attack.
Average 1 st innings scores: 326
Average 2 nd innings scores: 283
Average 3 rd innings scores: 243
Average 4th innings scores: 140
Total matches played: 1 (Aus vs India, Dec 2018)
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Probable playing XI for Australia:
David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
Bench – Michael Neser, James Pattinson
Probable playing XI for NZ:
Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Neil Wagner
Bench – Trent Boult, Tom Blundell, Todd Astle, Matt Henry
Top picks for Fantasy cricket:
Looking at the current form of the players selected for the series ahead, there are some obvious selections from both the teams. For Australia, Warner and Labuschagne along with Starc is bound to be the first picks. For New Zealand, skipper Williamson, Latham, and fast bowler Wagner will definitely find a place
in the Fantasy XI for the Perth Test.
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Captain and Vice-captain selection for Fantasy Cricket:
Captain: David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham
Vice-Captain: Tom Latham, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Neil Wagner
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – BJ Watling
Batters: David Warner (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Ross Taylor
All-rounder: Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc (VC), Pat Cummins, Neil Wagner, Nathan Lyon
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper: BJ Watling
Batters: David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne (C), Matthew Wade, Tom Latham (VC), Kane Williamson
All-rounder: Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Neil Wagner, Josh Hazlewood
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Expert Fantasy Cricket Winning tips:
Perth has traditionally been a bouncy track with bowlers having an edge over the batsman in the past. However, once set, in the Australian heat, it does become tough for a bowler to get rid of a batsman holding his ground strong.
Probable Winners:
With the kind of form fancied by Australia in their annihilating win over Pakistan, the hosts will begin as favorites. However, the Aussies can’t afford to under-estimate the Kiwis as they always tend to punch above their weights.
