Cricket Prediction | New Zealand vs Australia | 2nd Test | March 08 – Can NZ make it a draw or lose the series?

NZ vs AUS Match Analysis

Australia hasn’t lost against New Zealand in any of their previous five encounters. They have won all five meetings, and in four of those decisive victories, they have set the pace by batting first. They always have the same goals in mind as they step out to toss: to bat first, hit hard, and advance to a winning position. They used the same strategy a week prior at Wellington’s Basin Reserve to record another massive victory with an incredible 172-run margin.

However, after some expensive bowling on the opening day, the Kiwis made life difficult for them. Following a severe loss, Cameron Green masterfully bowled the visitors out in the first innings to put them in a secure position. However, the hosts rallied brilliantly in the second innings, taking the Australians out for a meager 160 runs.

And just when it looked like the hosts would set up a comfortable foundation to chase down an intimidating mark, veteran fielder Nathan Lyon destroyed the Kiwi batting order, spinning the Australians to victory.

NZ vs AUS Team Preview & Squads

New Zealand

The first Test match between Australia and New Zealand was a tale of lost chances and well-known difficulties. They had a great start with the ball, eliminating half of the Australian team by the time the score reached 156. However, the visitors reached 383 thanks to a heroic 174-run innings by Cameron Green, who combined with Josh Hazelwood for 104 runs to form the last wicket. The hosts’ first innings total in reply was a pitiful 179 runs.

They needed something exceptional from their bowlers in the second innings, and Glenn Phillips in particular took advantage of the favourable conditions to bring up a five-wicket haul on a surface that was conducive to spin. By limiting Australia to about 160, New Zealand was spared the intimidating goal of exceeding 400.

With 369 needed to win, the Kiwis decided to make a respectable start. But with only about sixty people on board, Lyon and Head teamed to win the top order. Mitchell and Ravindra developed a promising relationship, but Nathan Lyon again intervened, dealing punches daily. To capitalize on the Australians’ growing spin problems, the Blackcaps need to fix their hitting problems and insert Mitchell Santner into the starting lineup. Although the Kiwis are renowned for their comebacks, they will need to do far better, particularly at the bat, in their upcoming match against Australia.

They’ll have to figure out how to neutralize Lyon’s spin threat and take advantage of whatever opportunities they create. Then and only then can they expect to end their losing streak at home against Australia.

New Zealand Squads

New Zealand

Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, William ORourke.

Australia

Aussies are back to business as usual, continuing to hammer Black Caps in the game’s extended format. With that decisive 172-run victory at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, they have triumphed in all six of their meetings with New Zealand on New Zealand territory.

The visitors’ heroes were Nathan Lyon and Cam Green, the latter of whom achieved a remarkable accomplishment as an off-spinner from Southern Australia and the Western Australian all-rounder setting a career-best score in test cricket. With his performance at Wellington last week, he became a member of the exclusive group that only Muralitharan and Warne had—picking up ten wickets in a single match across nine separate nations.

Even though Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey struggled to score runs, Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon played well, but the Kiwis’ poor batting also prevented the Australians from feeling the heat. Despite New Zealand’s equal bowling skill to

Australia’s, Australia’s superior fielding—especially their ability to cling onto catches—turned the tide of the match. The Australians will be hoping to finish out the summer test season professionally with a commanding performance with the ball and bat going into the away match.

Australia Squads

Australia

Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey (wk), Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood.

NZ vs AUS outfield report

Hagley Oval, Christchurch

On this surface, the toss doesn’t matter, therefore neither team will have an advantage going into the third or fourth innings. However, New Zealand has always favored opting for fielding first, hitting heavily, and applying pressure to the opposition.

The weather is supposed to be mostly bright and pleasant, which is a favorable outlook. It is obvious that Hagley Oval offers some of the top batting decks in New Zealand. Although it doesn’t have the same bounce as the Basin Reserve surface, bowlers may still take use of its incredible velocity.

NZ vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the last five encounters, Australia has won all of them.

New Zealand vs Australia Prediction

Winning the toss

• Australia

Player of the Match

• Australia – Cameron Green

Most runs

• New Zealand – Glenn Phillips
• Australia – Cameron Green

Most wickets

• New Zealand – Matt Henry
• Australia – Nathan Lyon

Most sixes

• New Zealand – Glenn Phillips
• Australia – Cameron Green

Team Scores Batting First

• New Zealand – 280+
• Australia – 290+

According to cricket analysts, Australia has a 60% chance to win.

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