Kiwis playing underdog
NZ wary of in-form Australians
NEW Zealand may be riding high and ranked three places above Australia in Test cricket but it’s adopting a defiant little brother approach to reclaiming the Trans-Tasman trophy.
The Black Caps have moulded arguably their finestever Test team but refuse to talk up their chances of knocking over Tim Paine’s men on Australian soil in the looming three-match series.
Coach Gary Stead has saluted the quality of the revitalised home side. He’s warned his team to ignore its ICC ranking of second, which was further cemented by a home series win over England.
An irresistible force at home, New Zealand has found life tougher on the other side of the Tasman Sea, where its lone series win came in 1985-86.
Stead will bring his players back to earth before they depart for Perth on Saturday, five days out from the first Test under lights at Optus Stadium. “We’re under no illusion that Australia are playing really good cricket at the moment. They appear to be somewhere back to their best,” he said. “Our challenge will be to stand up to make sure we’re in that fight for long periods.
“We ask it of our players all the time but we need to be somewhere near our best.”
What is predicted to be a bouncy Perth pitch represents arguably New Zealand’s most difficult assignment, particularly if injured stars Trent Boult and/or Colin de Grandhomme haven’t recovered.
The visitors’ prospects should improve in more Kiwilike conditions at the MCG and SCG after Christmas.
“I think one of the things that makes me really proud, that I’ve seen in the last 14 to 15 months with the Black Caps is their ability to adapt,” Stead said. “If you look at some of the challenges … winning against Pakistan (in the UAE), World Cups (reaching successive finals) … I guess the team’s found a way to adapt to what’s in front of them.”
DANIEL GILHOOLY