Our 15-man BLACKCAPS Test squad has touched down in Sydney and Tim Southee’s ready for the test of a lifetime.
"Personally, I haven’t been this excited for a series for a long time," said Southee, who will captain the BLACKCAPS in the opening tour match in Canberra against the Prime Minister's XI — watch the livestream here.
The first Test starts on 5 November, at Brisbane’s ’Gabba — the ground where New Zealand, spearheaded by Richard Hadlee’s 9-52, won the first Test in 1985 en route to a maiden Series win on Australian turf.
"I don’t think Australia has lost at the ’Gabba for 20-odd years, so we know it’s going to be a tough challenge,” said Southee. “It’s not an easy place to tour.”
Many of the key men in the BLACKCAPS squad do have good memories with which to feed their motivation and confidence — having beaten Australia by seven runs in the thrilling Test win in Hobart four years back.
“We had a little taste of victory last time. But the strength of this side is that we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Southee. “We’ve found a formula and a way that works for this team, and for the personnel within the side.”
The first match of the six-week mission begins this Friday with a day/night warmup against a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.
Test prospects Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns, Adam Voges and Peter Siddle have been included in the mix to face the BLACKCAPS, as Australia adjusts to the Test retirements of Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Ryan Harris.
Southee said regardless of the mix of players in its Test squad, it won’t dim Australia’s determination to defend their reputation at home.
“One thing we do know is that this is an Australian side that won’t lie down. Their record speaks for itself and they’re a proud cricket nation. But it’s a chance for us to do something no other side has done for number of years now.
“If you look at our last seven or eight series, I don't think we've lost a series — I don’t think we need to change what we’re doing, because it seems to be putting the results on the board. And there’s still unfinished business. We’ll be ready to go.”
