Team Australia announces its playing XI for first Test against New Zealand
Team Australia has announced its playing XI for the upcoming first Test against New Zealand. It has opted for the same team that faced West Indies in a recent day-night Test in Brisbane.
The team, led by captain Pat Cummins, includes Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood. This decision has been taken after Australia stood third in the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, with a record of six wins, one draw, and three losses in ten games.
The first of the two-match series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on February 29. The players list showcases a strong lineup that Australia hopes to strengthen their position in the championship.
New Zealander’s Neil Wagner is set to retire from international cricket after the Test series against Australia, which begins in Wellington on Thursday.
By the end of his career, Wagner will be recognized as New Zealand’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in Test Cricket. He boasts an impressive average of 27. On the other hand, New Zealand’s cricket team faces a setback as Devon Conway will miss the opening Test against Australia due to a thumb injury. This is really a blow for New Zealanders, as the team struggled against Aussies, having not secured a Test win at home since 1993 and not achieving win over Kangaroos in any venue since 2011.
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