Australia win toss and bat, Southee fit for New Zealand

“Australia bossed the game from the start, really”.

It was Warner’s third century in four test matches in Perth, and his fourth successive against New Zealand.

McCullum said the fact none of his team had previously played a Test on the quick WACA wicket was a slight disadvantage but also an exciting challenge. He scored an unbeaten 123 in Hobart in December 2011, and followed it up with 129 and 116 in the first test of the current series in Brisbane. He’s hard as nails, Timmy, and if he is anywhere near fit then he’ll play.

“If we can be more consistent for long periods of time, we ll definitely show that”. In his opening spells, though, he was the only bowler who troubled the Australian top order.

New Zealand shall be pressured to make at the least one change from their workforce for the primary check even when Southee is match, in any case-rounder James Neesham was dominated out of the remainder of the collection after additionally struggling a again damage. Joe Burns made 40 runs as well. “We certainly don’t say it ourselves”, McCullum said. “I couldn’t put my finger on it at the moment”, he said.

“All the other guys will be better for that run as well”.

Counterpart Brendon McCullum noted it “looks an outstanding wicket”. Uncapped left-arm bowler Mitchell McClenaghan was brought in to the squad as a replacement for Neesham, while his fellow paceman Neil Wagner was flown over from New Zealand as cover for Southee.

He couldn’t review the decision because New Zealand had been unsuccessful on two prior referrals to the TV umpire.

Australia will take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series if they defeat the Black Caps in Perth.

“I think we did that really well in Brisbane and I think that’s really important here”.

There was a sense of groundhog day about the way Warner took control at the WACA after Steve Smith won the toss, having done much the same last week at the Gabba. “Whether it’s nerves, whether it’s the fact they attacked us and took us off our lengths, I’m unsure”, Hesson said. You’ve got to be on the money from ball one against these players.

McCullum acknowledged Australia was the better team, but still backed his side.

“I think it’s going to be quite warm so that’s definitely a possibility”, he said.

“But we won’t lose heart. The beauty is it’s a three-match series and we’ve still got an opportunity to win it”.