Australia aim to win rare Test series against New Zealand

NEW DELHI: World champions

Australia

will hope to conclude their successful

cricket season

with a victory in a rare

Test series

in

New Zealand

. The two-Test series, starting at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Thursday, has generated excitement among fans.
Australia, who have had a remarkable season with wins in the

World Test Championship

, the Ashes, and the 50-over World Cup, aim to secure the

Trans-Tasman Trophy

before taking a well-deserved break.

While some fans have expressed their desire for a longer contest between the reigning WTC holders and the 2021 champions, the brevity of the series allows Australia to recover from a demanding schedule.
Australia's recent defeat to the West Indies served as a reminder that they are not invincible. New Zealand, on the other hand, have struggled to beat Australia, especially on home soil.

Despite their strong squad and current leadership in the WTC cycle, New Zealand's psychological hold over Australia remains a challenge. They enter the series on the back foot, having lost the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in the lead-up T20 matches.
However, the first Test tour in eight years has created a buzz, with the Wellington opener already sold out. Fans are eager for a better performance than in 2016 when Australia swept the hosts 2-0.

New Zealand face some challenges with opener Devon Conway ruled out for the first Test due to a thumb injury, and batsman Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell carrying niggles.
Australia, on the other hand, have a settled lineup and have maintained faith in the same XI despite the loss to the West Indies.
To have a chance at victory, New Zealand must start strong and exploit Australia's out-of-form batsmen, particularly Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head.
Australia have historically dominated matches against New Zealand, and the series presents another opportunity for them to assert their superiority. New Zealand must rise to the occasion if they want to seize a long-awaited chance for victory.
Australia XI: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
(With inputs from Reuters)