AUS vs NZ Weather Report Live Today And Pitch Report Of Wellington Stadium – 1st Test, 2024

Basin Reserve in Wellington is all set to host the first AUS vs NZ Test match from February 29-March 4. The Test series is a part of the ongoing World Test Championship with New Zealand topping the points table. 

Australia have already announced their playing XI. They have named a very expected playing XI with the same group of bowlers named in the XI who bowled in the last Test series against West Indies.

Smith Smith will once again open the batting. He did not have a good time against West Indies and is looking forward to this Test series. 

New Zealand will be led by Tim Southee. As a captain, he will have the tough challenge of beating Australia at home. Devon Conway is unavailable for the first Test as he is ruled out with a thumb injury.

Kane Williamson thus becomes a very important batter in the lineup. Neil Wagner announced his international retirement ahead of the first Test. With no Trent Boult as well, the bowling lineup looks weaker. 

Also Read: Big blow to New Zealand! Devon Conway ruled out from the first NZ vs AUS Test match

The stats are stacked up against New Zealand in the Test series. They have won just 8 out of the 60 Test matches against the Aussies. They have not won a Test match against the Aussies in the last 15 years and have won only five Test matches at home against the Aussies. The Kiwis last won a Test match at home against the Aussies in 1993. 

AUS vs NZ Weather Report Live Today And Pitch Report Of Wellington Stadium – 1st Test, 2024

AUS vs NZ 1st Test Weather Report

The AUS vs NZ 1st Test will be played in Wellington from February 29-March 4. The Test match starts at 11 am local time in New Zealand. The weather conditions will be mostly windy throughout the Test match.

There will be sunshine in phases. The temperature will remain around 19-25 degrees throughout the Test match. There is a major chance of rain on day four with clouds expected to remain throughout the day on day 5 (March 4). 

Pitch Analysis

The venue uses drop-in pitches in T20Is. However, for Test matches a relayed pitch is expected to be used. Conditions in New Zealand are generally very breezy meaning that the pitch will have a lot of seam and swing movement and stable bounce throughout the Test match.

68 Test matches have been played at the venue with 313 being the average first innings score. The average second innings score is also above 300 which drops in the third and the fourth innings. 

Weather Impact On The Game

The weather conditions are expected to remain breezy and strong wind is expected to blow throughout the five days. The playing conditions will thus become very cold.

There is heavy rain expected in the final two days of the Test match which means that there is an outside chance of play getting abandoned in the final two days of the first Test. If that happens the first Test will end in a draw with the teams showing a point each. 

Conclusion 

The AUS vs NZ Test series is important for both teams. A series win for New Zealand will help them maintain their pole position on the WTC points table. A series win for the Aussies should take them to the second position on the table. 

Also Read: Australia’s playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand announced