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A look at the Australia Test squad members for the three-match series against New Zealand, starting at Optus Stadium in Perth.
AUSTRALIA's TEST SQUAD TO FACE NEW ZEALAND
David Warner
Age: 33
Tests:81
Batting average: 48.58
Started the season with questions over his position and now the only query is whether he'll finish with it being the most prolific summer by an opener in Australia. His 335no against Pakistan in Adelaide was the 10th highest score of all time but a bigger challenge awaits against New Zealand.
Joe Burns
Age: 30
Tests: 18
Batting average: 40.80
Can set himself up as David Warner's long-term partner with a good series against New Zealand after impressing against Pakistan at the Gabba. Averages 55 against the Black Caps but his record against the pink ball is not as impressive.
Marnus Labuschagne
Age: 25
Tests: 11
Batting average: 53.32
Bowling stats: 10 wickets at 40.30
Australia's new star at No.3 after he backed up an impressive Ashes campaign with back-to-back centuries against Pakistan. Looks the long-term answer at first-drop for Australia and can strengthen the claims that the Aussies' top-order is sorted with runs against New Zealand.
Steve Smith
Age: 30
Tests: 70
Batting average: 63.75
Bowling stats: 17 wickets at 56.47
Will play a far more important role against New Zealand than he did Pakistan. Had statistically the worst series of his career to start the summer but the fact the matches were virtually already won both times he came to the wicket contributed significantly to that.
Matthew Wade
Age: 31
Tests: 29
Batting average: 31.45
Enjoying his third coming as a Test cricketer and his first as a specialist batsman. Moved up the order to No.5 in the series against Pakistan and will face the Black Caps for the first time in his career in Perth.
Travis Head
Age: 25
Tests: 14
Batting average: 41.80
Another player who will be hoping for more of a chance against New Zealand after barely getting an opportunity against Pakistan. Was just the 14th player in history to not bat, bowl or take a catch in a Test win during Australia's Adelaide triumph. The series marks a big one in his career after being dropped for the last Test of the Ashes.
Tim Paine (capt, wk)
Age: 35
Tests: 28
Batting average: 30.97
Will overcome a finger injury to play in Thursday's first Test at Optus Stadium. Admitted to having trouble picking the pink ball out behind the stumps at night in Adelaide but otherwise kept neatly and captained well in the series win against Pakistan.
Pat Cummins
Age: 26
Tests: 27
Batting average: 17.82
Bowling stats: 131 wickets at 22.10
The world's top-ranked bowler who will be Australia's most important player against New Zealand's strong batting line up. Has begun to take the new ball for the first time at home and many ex-players would argue he should keep it in the long-term.
Mitchell Starc
Age: 29
Tests: 54
Batting average: 22.48
Bowling stats: 229 wickets at 27.57
Put to bed any doubts over his spot in the side with 14 wickets in the two Tests against Pakistan. Has the best pink-ball record with the ball in the world, with his 33 wickets at 21.54 in day-night Tests a reminder of his danger for New Zealand ahead of the series-opener in Perth.
Josh Hazlewood
Age: 28
Tests: 48
Batting average: 12.18
Bowling stats: 194 wickets at 26.33
The most disciplined of Australia's dominant pace trio. Will nag away at the New Zealand batsman until he forces an error. Will be hoping for more movement with the pink ball in Perth.
Nathan Lyon
Age: 32
Tests: 93
Batting average: 12.39
Bowling stats: 370 wickets at an average of 32.36.
Could have a lot of work to get through against the Black Caps, especially in Perth where temperatures are expected to soar and make life tough for the quicks. Comes into the series in form after a five-wicket haul against Pakistan in Adelaide.
James Pattinson
Age: 29
Tests: 19
Batting average: 26.73
Bowling stats: 75 wickets at 26.64
Will likely be the first bowler called up if something was to happen to Australia's big three, or if the workload becomes too much with the back-to-back Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. If he does, it will be his first home Test since January 2016.
Michael Neser
Age: 29
Tests: 0
Remains as a back-up bowler in Australia's squad after not getting a chance in either the Ashes or the series against Pakistan. His stocks continue to rise in Queensland with the ball and is also a handy lower-order bat.
