3 minute read
Several key battles will help decide whether New Zealand can claim their first Test series victory on Australian soil in 34 years.
NEIL WAGNER V STEVE SMITH
Wagner left a lasting impression on Smith the last time the two crossed paths when he levelled him with a ball that thumped into the back of the Australian's helmet. Smith hit 138 in the Christchurch Test in 2016 but Wagner was the man to eventually knock him over. He'll need to get on top of him again this summer for the tourists.
TRENT BOULT V DAVID WARNER
Warner is in record-breaking form and Boult is in significant doubt for the first Test, but when he does get on the field he could trouble the Australian. The left-armer is a known swinger of the ball and his angle from over the wicket may be an issue for the opener.
BOWLERS V FLAT PITCHES
Both sides could struggle to get a bit out of the wickets in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney despite having top-class attacks. The pink ball offered very little during the day in Adelaide as players claimed it went soft very early. Melbourne's pitch problems are well known while Sydney has also had issues in recent years, with bat dominating ball at both grounds.
MITCHELL STARC V KANE WILLIAMSON and ROSS TAYLOR
There is no-one better with the pink ball than Starc and he'll be called upon to rattle New Zealand's top order in Perth. His 33 wickets at 21.54 is the best of any bowler in day-night Tests, but the likes of Williamson and Taylor will offer a formidable resistance.. The result in Perth could be crucial for New Zealand's confidence, particularly if Melbourne and Perth are flat pitches.
MITCHELL SANTNER V AUSTRALIA'S BATSMEN
Touring spinners traditionally don't enjoy bowling in Australia, and Santner needs to break that curse. Only five frontline spinners have averaged below 30 in a summer in Australia this decade, with the Aussie batsmen traditionally dining out. Santner himself has played just one Test in Australia - taking a wicket in both innings of the Adelaide day-night match four years ago.
