McCullum hopeful on Southee, confident of Black Caps bounce

As for the future move across the Swan River to Burswood, it will be up to the players of Smith’s generation and younger to adjust to whatever vagaries it throws up. for the likes of Johnson and Voges, the prospect of losing the WACA will hurt, but that of spectating at a swish new stadium sits rather better.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re a little bit stronger with our execution”.

Among the reasons keeping Johnson from his club side is a highly regimented and grooved routine to get him as close to his best for Test matches.

“We play on a lot of drop-in wickets now and soon enough we’re going to be playing on another one”.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets as Australia wrapped up victory in the first Test over New Zealand at the Gabba by 208 runs.

“It has been like that for the past couple of series but we’ve got two games to go so hopefully we can bring it back to 1-1 or even 2-1, then we’ll have had a successful trip. We bowled a little bit too short”, Smith said. “So it was definitely spoken about”. At the last game I caught up with my club president from the Wanderers and it was really good to catch up with him and chat about how it all started.

The second Test begins in Perth on Friday and the series concludes with the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide. It was McCullum’s 97th six in Tests, placing him tied for third on the all-time list, led by Adam Gilchrist with 100.

Johnson ranks second only to Glenn McGrath (52) for most wickets taken at the pacey Western Australian Cricket Association (Waca) ground and along with fellow left-arm quick Mitchell Starc represents a hostile new-ball attack for the Australians. “We also saw in England [earlier this year] after a not-so-great first test at Lord’s the contribution he made to help us win at Leeds”.

Australia captain Steve Smith said the lopsided win was the ideal way for his lineup to start the domestic summer. “In one-dayers you have got 10 overs and you can really go for it”, Johnson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Wednesday.

“That’s the game we play – we’ve got to cop it sweet”, he said of the decision referral system.

Paceman Mitchell Starc came under fire when he hurled the ball towards Mark Craig after the Kiwi tail-ender blocked a delivery. Lehmann said Starc, 25, had to find his “happy medium” on the field.

“I think everyone has responded really well to me taking over this side”, he said.

“But to be honest I’m just trying to go out there and play each game and enjoy it. Who knows?” Swings and roundabouts, but Hesson suggested six batsmen should be entrusted with getting the runs in what’s anticipated to be fast, bouncy conditions, which tend to help swing bowlers.