DStv Channel 403 Friday, 15 November 2024

Australia out to ruin Williamson, Southee 100-Test milestone

CHRISTCHURCH - Australia plan to spoil the party for New Zealand centurions Kane Williamson and Tim Southee when the second Test starts on Friday as they bid to sweep the series.

Fast bowler Southee and batsman Williamson will both make their 100th appearances at Hagley Oval in Christchurch with hosts New Zealand chasing a first Test win over Australia since 2011 to mark the occasion.

But they have their work cut out after a 172-run defeat in the first on the two-Test series last week in Wellington.

Australia named an unchanged team, meaning their four key bowlers -- Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon -- have played all seven Tests this summer.

"It's been a long summer, but we all feel like we've got a bit of freshness about us," said Cummins, the Australian captain.

"We're not limping over the line, and we feel like we're in a great position than I thought we'd be in a couple of months ago.

"We know this is one last big push for a while," he added ahead of a lengthy Test break, with Australia keen for another win to earn points for the World Test Championship.

They currently sit third in the table, just behind New Zealand with India on top.

"Not that you need extra motivation for a Test match, but it does have a lot of context this week," Cummins added of the points at stake. 

Southee and Williamson follow in the footsteps of New Zealand's other Test centurions -- Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor. 

Williamson has scored more than 8,600 runs since his debut in 2010 while Southee has 378 wickets, having made his bow in 2008.

 

Paid Content