Gabba, Brisbane
10am Thursday November 20-Monday November 24
Time to restore two abnormalities - Australia lost their last series, and New Zealand won their last series. Both teams on the slide courtesy of retirements in Australia and ICL cash in New Zealand, but Australia are sliding from 1st in the rankings and the Kiwis from 7th. As always the Australian summer kicks off at the Gabba, where the pitch is not as green as some expected considering the amount of that airborne moisture many of us can't remember seeing that Brisbane has got in the last few days. "Win the toss and bowl" say some, although recent results say just wear a green cap, Australia will be unbeaten at the Gabba for 20 years as of 2:31pm on Friday, batting first in 8 wins and 4 draws, bowling first in only 6 wins. New Zealand won by an innings 3 years early, but have since lost by 9 wickets, an innings, 186 runs, and an innings, with one draw in there.
The scapegoat from Australia's loss in India is Cameron White, left out for Andrew Symonds to fill the aggressive batsman/spinner role White failed to do much in in India. Symonds' agility and accurate arm will also be a welcome addition. Stuart Clark is a certainty to come back in as well, but whether he replaces all rounder Shane Watson, arguably the bowler who looked most dangerous in India, or spinner who can bat reasonably well Jason Krejza, who took 12 wickets on debut in the last game. The well publicised over rate issue may help Krejza, since certain people refuse to admit they've done anything wrong. Despite taking the most wickets in India, Mitchell Johnson still has a lot of work to do to convince some he deserves that spot in the side, while Brad Haddin's early Test career has been far from impressive.
The Kiwis have now decided to bring over their full 15 man squad ahead of the game, after initially naming 15 with one not to make the trip and another to only fly the night before. Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum's injury troubles have a bit to do with that, but Peter Fulton in particular is a good chance even if they're both fit, following their disastrous performance with the bat in Sydney. The other theory they could follow is the play the all rounder instead of the quick theory, giving Grant Elliott a game ahead of probably Tim Southee. Hopkins will only play if McCullum hurts himself again before tomorrow, while Mark Gillespie's about as much chance as Jason.
No Steve Bucknor because of 'travel issues', which are becoming all too common for elite umpires, Bucknor missing a trip last year for similar vague reasons. Rudi Koertzen takes his place alongside the other exiled West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove. The slightly later in the year start may give a few more minutes before the shadow of the stand crosses the pitch and makes them bring out the light meters, but making it to the 5:30 cutoff (or 6:00 if a significant amount of play is lost on Thursday) is still unlikely.
Australia XII:
Matthew Hayden
Simon Katich
*Ricky Ponting
Michael Hussey
Michael Clarke
Andrew Symonds
Shane Watson
+Brad Haddin
Jason Krezja
Brett Lee
Mitchell Johnson
Stuart Clark
In: (from last Test in India)
Andrew Symonds
Stuart Clark
Out:
Cameron White (dropped)
New Zealand XV:
Aaron Redmond
Jamie How
Jesse Ryder
Peter Fulton
Ross Taylor
+Brendon McCullum
Daniel Flynn
Grant Elliott
Daniel Vettori
+Gareth Hopkins
Kyle Mills
Tim Southee
Iain O'Brien
Mark Gillespie
Chris Martin
In: (from last test in Bangladesh)
Peter Fulton
Gareth Hopkins
Tim Southee
Mark Gillespie
Chris Martin
Out:
Jeetan Patel
Weather:
Billy Doctrove (Dominican Republic)
Rudi Koertzen (South Africa)
Rod Tucker (3rd, Australia)
Weather:
Rain Thursday morning easing to showers in the afternoon but with a chance of a thunderstorm. Possible shower/storm Saturday afternoon but otherwise fine from Friday onwards
Session Times
First session: 10am-12noon
Second session: 12:40-2:40pm
Third session: 3-5pm
Coverage:
Cricinfo's scorecard and commentary
Cricket Australia's scorecard and commentary or analysis
Tickets:
Thursday-Friday
Adults - $25 GA, from $35 for a seat
Concession - $15 GA, from $25 for a seat
Children/Pensioners - from $8 GA or a seat
Family - $54 GA, from $74 for some seats
Saturday-Sunday
Adults - $30 GA, from $35 for a seat
Concession - $21 GA, from $25 for a seat
Children/Pensioners - $8 GA, from $10 for a seat
Family - $64 GA, $75 for some seats
Monday
Adults - $20
Concession - $12
Children/Pensioners - $6
Family - $43
All 5 days
Adults - from $135
Concession - from $100
Children/Pensioners - from $35
(Gates open 8:30am Thursday-Sunday, 9am Monday)
