New Zealand and Australia – The cricketing giants of the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand and Australia, are geared up for what promises to be an enthralling two-match Test series. The series kicks off with the first Test at the historic Basin Reserve in Wellington, starting this Friday, February 29, 2024. The clash is part of the Australia Tour of New Zealand 2024, following a competitive T20I series that saw Australia emerge victorious.
New Zealand and Australia Set for Thrilling Test Series Opener in Wellington
Live Streaming and Broadcast Details for India
Cricket enthusiasts in India looking forward to catching the action live from Wellington have a unique viewing option this series. Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive live streaming rights for this Test series in India, marking a departure from traditional TV broadcasts, as there will be no live telecast on any television channel in the country. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to Amazon Prime Video to enjoy the live action, with the match scheduled to start at the early hours of 3:30 AM IST.
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A Look at the Teams’ Recent Form
Australia comes into the series with a formidable record against their Trans-Tasman rivals, boasting 34 wins in the 60 matches played, while New Zealand has managed eight victories, and 18 games have ended in draws. The last encounter between these two sides in the longest format saw Australia completing a clean sweep, winning 3-0 in a three-match Test series during the 2019-20 season in Australia.
Despite the historical dominance by Australia, New Zealand’s squad, brimming with talent and home advantage, is keen on altering the status quo. The series also follows a T20I series that concluded on February 25, providing both teams with recent competitive interaction.
Team News and Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand’s Lineup: The hosts are expected to field a balanced team with a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents. The probable playing XI includes Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), and William O’Rourke.
Australia’s Approach: The visitors, led by Pat Cummins, are poised to counter with a strong lineup featuring Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.
Squads at a Glance
The New Zealand Test squad, captained by Tim Southee, features a blend of experience and youth, including Devon Conway and Kane Williamson. Australia, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, boasts a robust squad with the likes of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne expected to play pivotal roles.
Match Details
- Match: New Zealand vs Australia, 1st Test
- Series: Australia Tour of New Zealand, 2024
- Date and Time: February 29 – March 4, 3:30 AM IST
- Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
FAQs: New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Series 2024
When does the 1st Test between New Zealand and Australia start?
The 1st Test between New Zealand and Australia starts on Friday, February 29, 2024.
What time does the match begin?
The match is scheduled to start at 3:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) or 9:00 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
Where is the match being played?
The match is being played at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand.
Where can viewers in India watch the live streaming of the NZ vs AUS 1st Test?
Viewers in India can watch the live streaming of the NZ vs AUS 1st Test exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Will there be a live telecast of the NZ vs AUS Tests on any TV channel in India?
No, there will be no live telecast of the NZ vs AUS Tests on any TV channel in India.
How have New Zealand and Australia performed against each other in Test cricket historically?
Australia has a lead against New Zealand in Test cricket, winning 34 of the 60 matches they have played so far. New Zealand has registered just eight victories, and as many as 18 Tests between these two sides have ended in draws.
What was the outcome of the last Test series between New Zealand and Australia?
The last time these two sides met in the longest format was in the 2019-20 season, where Australia whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in a three-match Test series in Australia.
Who are the probable playing XIs for the 1st Test?
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), William O’Rourke. Australia: Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Who are the captains of the New Zealand and Australia Test teams?
Tim Southee is the captain of the New Zealand Test team, and Pat Cummins is the captain of the Australia Test team.
Can you provide details on the squads for both teams?
New Zealand Test Squad: Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young. Australia Test Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Closing Thoughts : New Zealand and Australia
As the anticipation builds for the first Test, both teams are ready to lay it all on the line. New Zealand aims to leverage their home conditions and recent form to challenge the Australian dominance in Test cricket. With no live TV broadcast in India, Amazon Prime Video’s live streaming service offers a golden opportunity for fans to witness every ball and boundary of what promises to be a memorable clash between these cricketing powerhouses.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an epic Test series as New Zealand and Australia reignite their storied rivalry on the cricket field.
