The Australia skipper Pat Cummins has revealed the playing 11 for the first test of the Australia tour of New Zealand 2024.
Australia Playing 11 for New Zealand first test
Pat Cummins has revealed their playing 11 for the New Zealand test on February 28. Australia will be taking the same bowling unit for the sixth consecutive test since their opening match against Pakistan on the home tour.
Cameron Green has been recalled to the squad for the two test matches against West Indies on the home tour. Australia hasn’t fielded a different squad since the final test of the Ashes 2023.
Australia playing 11
Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
On the other hand, Devon Conway has been ruled out with a damaged left thumb sustained in the T20I series against Australia.
Additionally, Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from international cricket and will not be in the playing 11 for the first test.
Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell returns to the squad after missing the second test against South Africa. Matt Henry will be rejoining the side after missing the T20I series due to hip soreness.
New Zealand probable Playing 11
Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), Will O’Rourke
“We’ll have one final look, obviously with the weather around, so one final decision on whether an extra seamer or a spinner will play,” Southee said.
Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins confirmed it was a direct approach to retain the game with the same playing 11.
“We’ve had a good run so same eleven as the Gabba,” Cummins said today. “It’s always nice to have a full contingent to pick from.”
New Zealand and Australia will play their first test match starting on February 29 at Basin Reserve.
