New Zealand vs Australia Test match update: Experienced opener Devon Conway miss the 1st test against Australia, commencing at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington on Thursday due to injury. Conway sustained the injury while wicket-keeping during the second KFC T20I at Eden Park on Friday night.
The decision to exclude Conway came after additional scans conducted in Wellington yesterday revealed damage to his left thumb.
Canterbury batter Henry Nicholls was included in the New Zealand test squad as batting cover in place of key opener Devon Conway and joined the team in Wellington for training. BlackCap’s opener Devon Conway has been excluded from the initial Australia Test.
Further updates will follow later in the week after additional medical consultations to determine the severity of the injury and finalize the diagnosis.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his disappointment to the loss of a player of Devon Conway’s caliber for the ICC World Test Championship contest set to begin in Wellington on Thursday (29 February). He said,
“It’s disappointing for Devon to be ruled out on the eve of an important match.”
“He’s a class player batting at the top of the order for us and I know he was really looking forward to this series.”
Gary Stead also welcomed Henry Nicholls, joins his New Zealand teammates in Wellington on Wednesday and play the role as an opener in place of Devon Conway.
“It’s nice to have a player of Henry’s calibre to call on.”
“He has plenty of Test experience and covers a number of positions in our batting order.”
Captain Pat Cummins has confirmed Australia’s playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington, with veteran batsman Steve Smith retaining his opening partnership with Usman Khawaja at the top of the batting order and both Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh are confirmed starters in a relatively new top six.
The Kiwis are currently leading the ICC World Test Championship standings, while Australia sits in third place. They will be eager to overcome their trans-Tasman rivals in the two-Test series, aiming to secure a position at the top and secure a second consecutive appearance in the final.
ICC World Test Championship points Table
No.1 – NEW ZEALAND – PLAYED (4) – WON (3) – LOST (1) – POINTS (36) – POINT PERCENTAGE (75.00)
No.2 – INDIA – PLAYED (8) – WON (5) – LOST (2) – DRAW (1) – POINTS (62) – POINT PERCENTAGE (64.58)
No.3 – AUSTRALIA – PLAYED (10) – WON (6) – LOST (3) – DRAW (1) – POINTS (66) – POINT PERCENTAGE (55.00)
No.4 – BANGLADESH – PLAYED (2) – WON (1) – LOST (1) – POINTS (12) – POINT PERCENTAGE (50.00)
No.5 – PAKISTAN – PLAYED (5) – WON (2) – LOST (3) – POINTS (22) – POINT PERCENTAGE (36.66)
No.6 – WEST INDIES – PLAYED (4) – WON (1) – LOST (2) – DRAW (1) – POINTS (16) – POINT PERCENTAGE (33.33)
No.7 – SOUTH AFRICA – PLAYED (4) – WON (1) – LOST (3) – POINTS (12) – POINT PERCENTAGE (25.00)
No.8 – ENGLAND – PLAYED (9) – WON (3) – LOST (5) – DRAW (1) – POINTS (21) – POINT PERCENTAGE (19.44)
No.9 – SRI LANKA – PLAYED (2) – WON (0) – LOST (2) – POINTS (0) – POINT PERCENTAGE (00.00)
New Zealand vs Australia Test match update
Australia playing XI: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand Test Squad
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Henry Nicholls, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Australia Test Squad
Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc
New Zealand vs Australia Test Series Schedule
First Test – 29 February to 4 March – Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Second Test – 8 to12 March – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
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