Kiwis make two changes

Selectors retained the same top-order batting line-up which has failed in both Test losses to Australia so far in this three-Test series. Australia won the first Test in Auckland by 62 runs and clinched the second Test on Monday by six wickets.

The Australians have won nine successive Tests, breaking a 79-year-old National record, and are on target for the international record of 11 successive Test wins, set by the West Indies in the 1980s.

Former Australian skipper Allan Border, who amassed more runs in Test cricket than any other batsman, said the current crop of Australian cricketers had proved themselves among the best of all time.

“Baring bad weather, I can’t see the (winning) run being broken in the near future — I think they can set a great mark,” Border told The Australian newspaper. “They’ll beat the Kiwis 3-0 then they have the West Indies in Australian next summer and I think they have their measure.”

The Australians own the world record for consecutive wins in limited-overs internationals after extending their unbeaten stretch to 14 before losing the inconsequential last game of a recent series to New Zealand.

Australia will name its starting line-up for the third Test later in the week.

Teams

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Matthew Horne, Craig Spearman, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Paul Wiseman, Daryl Tuffey, Shayne O’Connor, Bruce Martin.