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The number one Test team in the world Australia make the short trip across the Tasman Sea to visit New Zealand for a two-match series beginning on Wednesday, February 28 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
New Zealand, currently ranked fifth in the world in the format, come into the game following a 2-0 series win over an inexperienced South Africa. The Kiwis have also won six of their last seven Test matches in all conditions.
Australia, meanwhile, are fresh off the back of a disappointing 1-1 series draw with the West Indies on home soil. The tourists have won seven of their last 11 Test outings against all competition and have four victories in 10 appearances at Wellington's Basin Reserve against New Zealand – a venue that has hosted Test matches since 1930.
New Zealand boast a single Test victory over their neighbours in Wellington, with the other five matches ending in draws.
Australia won the most recent meeting back in 2016 by an innings and 52 runs – Adam Voges notching 239, Usman Khawaja scoring 140 and Nathan Lyon (seven) and Josh Hazelwood (six) in the wickets.
Kane Williamson – the number one Test batter in the world - is the top scorer at the venue tallying 1,488 runs at an average of 74.4 over 24 innings with five centuries and six 50s. His record at all stadiums in New Zealand is equally as impressive – he boasts an average of 69.70 in 77 innings, with 19 centuries and 18 fifties.
Williamson is 5/6 to hit Over 78.5 match runs, 8/13 to score a 50 and 12/5 to score a century – bearing in mind he has seven centuries in his last seven games, the price is enticing. Over 7.5 match fours at 10/11 is also an extremely backable parlay addition.
Daryl Mitchell is also ranked in the world's top three, but his track record at the Basin Reserve is less impressive than Williamsons. He has just 126 runs in four innings with a high score of 54. He has also failed to go past 50 in six of his last seven innings.
Sandwiching the pair in the world rankings is Aussie star Steve Smith. 'Smudge' has one knock of 71 on his lone appearance at the venue and averaged 131.00 in his single Test-series in the country back in 2016 – tallying one century and two 50s. Smith has failed to reach a century in 17 consecutive innings and is 2/5 not to hit a ton in this contest.
With the ball, Kiwi captain Tim Southee is just one wicket away from becoming the joint-leading wicket taker in Test matches in Wellington. The seamer boasts 59 victims in 29 innings at an average of 31.74 and has taken three five-wicket hauls.
Southee is 5/6 to take more than 3.5 match wickets – a line he has failed to hit in four consecutive matches. He has, however, hit that mark in half his matches at the venue - including in his last four visits - taking 24 wickets in those games.
For Australia, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood should excel in the New Zealand conditions and are both ranked in the world top five bowlers. Cummins is 8/11 to take five or more wickets, with Hazlewood Evens to achieve the same feat. The Aussie captain Cummins has 12 wickets in six innings in New Zealand at an average of 18.75 and boasts 21 wickets in his last four matches.
In terms of the contest, Australia are the bookies' favourite at 4/7, with New Zealand 10/3 at home and a draw priced at 4/1. Wind and rain are scheduled for days four and five, so the draw could be in play – especially considering the record between the two teams in Wellington.
