New Zealand Playing 11 vs Australia, 1st Test, 2024

New Zealand takes on Australia in a two-match Test series with the first Test starting in Wellington from February 29. The Kiwis lost the T20I series heading into this series and are now looking to win the Test series.

New Zealand are led by Tim Southee. They won their previous series against South Africa 2-0 with the likes of Kane Williamson and Tim Southee performing well. Statistically, the Kiwis have just won 8 out of the 60 Test matches against Australia. In the last 15 years, they have not won any Test match and they won their last Test match at home against the Aussies back in 1993.

Heading into this Test series, they have more than one problem. Devon Conway is ruled out of the first Test due to an injured thumb and he has not successfully recovered to play the first Test. The pace ace Neil Wagner announced his retirement from Test cricket and Trent Boult is also not a part of the Test side. Alongside Kyle Jamieson is also ruled out for this year with a stress fracture.

With their backs to the wall, New Zealand takes on Australia in the first Test in Wellington. In this article, we predict the New Zealand playing XI for the first Test.

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

New Zealand Playing 11 vs Australia, 1st Test, 2024

Tom Latham

Latham is the regular opener in Test cricket for New Zealand. He recently played the South Africa Test series scoring just 93 runs in the two-match series. He averaged just 23.25 in the series.

Henry Nicholls

Nicholls was named as Devon Conway’s replacement. He should open the batting with Young. He has played 56 Test matches and inching closer to 3000 Test runs. The southpaw has scored nine centuries and one double century.

Kane Williamson

Williamson will slot in at three. He is the most experienced batter in the Kiwi batting lineup. He scored over 400 runs against South Africa recently with a century in the first Test and the second. He has scored 699 runs in nine Tests against Australia.

Rachin Ravindra

Ravindra will slot in at four. He recently scored his maiden double-century in Test cricket against South Africa in the first of the two Tests. He has scored 374 runs in his first five Test matches. He is seen as the next big thing in New Zealand cricket.

Will Young

Young played the second Test against South Africa and batted at five. He scored 96 runs in the two innings. Overall, he has played 14 Test matches scoring 678 runs. He is yet to score a century in the format.

Tom Blundell (WK)

Blundell is the first-choice keeper at six. He has played 30 Test matches and is approaching 1700 runs in the format. He had a forgetful series against South Africa where he scored just 20 runs in the two matches.

Daryl Mitchell

Mitchell will return to the Test side after recovering from his foot injury. He was rested from the second Test against South Africa and the Australia T20Is. The Kiwis would choose Mitchell for his seam bowling capabilities as well.

Mitchell Santner

Santner will bat at eight. He will also be the specialist spinning option. He led the Kiwis in the T20I series against Australia and they lost badly. Santner has played 26 Test matches and has picked up 53 wickets.

Tim Southee (C)

Southee will slot in at nine. He played both the Test matches against South Africa and picked up just two wickets. He averaged 91.50 in the series. This will be his 99th Test match.

Matt Henry

Matt Henry will be the second seamer in the XI. He might get his chance now with Neil Wagner’s retire. He took six wickets in the series against South Africa and had an impressive average of 20.50. Henry has picked up 78 wickets in 23 Test matches.

William ORourke

The right-arm pacer concludes New Zealand’s likely XI for the first Test, He made his debut in the second test against South Africa and picked up nine wickets in his maiden Test match.

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