Australia beat New Zealand by 172 runs in the first Test in Wellington and the Aussies are hot favourites to complete a 2-0 series victory in Christchurch.
However, the Black Caps have an impressive record at the Hagley Oval, winning eight of their last ten matches at the Christchurch venue, where the second Test starts at 10pm on Thursday.
- New Zealand to win
- Daryl Mitchell top New Zealand first-innings runscorer
- Matt Henry top New Zealand first-innings wicket-taker
Batting Frailties Could Boost Hosts Chances
New Zealand collapsed from 126-3 to 196 all out in the fourth innings of the first Test as Australia spinner Nathan Lyon finished the match with a ten-wicket haul.
A winning margin of 172 runs flattered the Aussies, who were grateful for a tenth-wicket partnership of 116 between Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood in their first innings.
Green's unbeaten 174 was an outstanding effort given that the next-highest score by an Australian in the match was nightwatchman Lyon's 41 in the second innings.
Australia's batsmen also had a lean home Test summer against Pakistan and the West Indies, who claimed a stunning eight-run victory in Brisbane at the end of January.
And New Zealand look a big price to bounce back in Christchurch, where star batsman Kane Williamson will be determined to make amends after running himself out for a duck in the first innings of the first Test.
Williamson scored 118, 109, 43 and 133 not out in the recent 2-0 series win over South Africa and New Zealand's middle-order is shaping up nicely with Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips also in the side.
More ruthlessness is required with bat and ball in the second Test but the Kiwis, whose home form was the basis for their triumph in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021, should not be written off in Christchurch.
Mitchell Could Shine For New Zealand
Mitchell was the last man out in the first Test, caught and bowled by Hazlewood for a dogged 38, and he could play a prominent role for New Zealand in the final match of the series.
Mitchell, who overcame a foot injury to play in the series opener, will be eager to kick on at the Hagley Oval, where he scored 102 and 81 in last year's two-wicket win over Sri Lanka.
Batting at number seven, he made an unbeaten 102 against Pakistan in Christchurch in January 2021 and his outstanding Test record against England shows he is a man for the big occasion.
Mitchell has scored three centuries and five fifties in just 12 innings against England and he should be backed to top-score in New Zealand's first innings of the second Test.
DARYL MITCHELL TOP NEW ZEALAND RUNSCORER 1ST INNINGS
Henry To Hoover Up More Wickets
Like Mitchell, fast bowler Matt Henry has a fine record at the Hagley Oval and he also caused problems for Australia in the first Test.
With fellow pacemen Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner absent, Henry stepped up to take 5-70 and 3-36 in Wellington, dismissing Aussie openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja in the first innings.
He has taken 21 wickets in his last three Christchurch Tests, two against South Africa and one against Sri Lanka, and 14 of those scalps came in the opposition's first innings of the match.
Henry claimed career-best figures of 7-23 against South Africa at the Hagley Oval in February 2022 and he may well lead the home side's charge in Australia's first innings.
MATT HENRY TOP NEW ZEALAND WICKET-TAKER 1ST INNINGS
