NZ vs AUS: Check our Fantasy Cricket Prediction, Tips, Playing Team Picks for 2nd Test on March 8th

New Zealand and Australia will square off against each other in the 2nd and final Test of the series starting on Friday. Not a great show with the bat forced New Zealand to give up the 1st Test inside four days where they lost by 172 runs. Australia on the other hand are having a great tour and are leading the 2-matches Test series 1-0.

Captain Tim Southee speaks on Ben Sears after confirming that the @cricketwgtninc Firebird quick will make his Test debut tomorrow at Hagley Oval ???? #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/iolVsfMBUf

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 7, 2024

Match Details:

New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Date & Time: March 8-12 at 3:30 AM IST and 11:00 AM Local Time

Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

What is the Pitch Report for NZ vs AUS, 2nd Test?

A good amount of grass has been kept on the surface which aids the seamers more however there will be more opportunities for the batters to score runs if they show application. Hosts New Zealand holds an exceptional Test record at this venue, winning 9 of the 12 matches. The team batting first is expected to make big runs on the board.

Training time in Christchurch ahead of the second match of the Tegel Test Series at Hagley Oval starting on Friday ???? #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/ucXrWIYwIG — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 6, 2024

Recent form:

New Zealand: Lost, Won, Won, Won, Lost

Australia: Won, Lost, Won, Won, Won

NZ vs AUS, 2nd Test Probable Winners:

Australia are expected to win this match.

What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs AUS, 2nd Test?

New Zealand

Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner / Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, Ben Sears

Australia

Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Injury Updates:

William O’Rourke injured his hamstring during the 1st Test and has been ruled out from the 2nd Test, he will be replaced by Ben Sears in the New Zealand squad.

What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for NZ vs AUS, 2nd Test?

Top Pick – Batter

Tom Latham who hasn’t scored a half-century in his last 12 Test innings boosts a great record here at Hagley Oval where he has added 971 runs in 12 matches which includes 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries.

Whānau - family ???? #ThanksWags pic.twitter.com/TG9hK0HggY — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 5, 2024

Top Pick – All-Rounder

Cameron Green has cemented his spot at No.4 by playing a blinder of a knock in the 1st Test of the 1st innings, registering his highest score of 174* and adding 34 in the 2nd. He didn’t have much job to do with the ball where he bowled only 3 overs and picked up a wicket.

Top Pick – Bowler

Nathan Lyon is a GOAT for a reason as he made the job a lot easier for the skipper Pat Cummins in the 1st Test, picking up 4 and 6 wickets in the 1st and 2nd innings respectively.

Top Pick – Wicketkeeper

Alex Carey hasn’t been consistent with the bat in recent times but the management is keen to keep him for a long run for his wicketkeeping abilities. He scored a couple of half-centuries in 9 innings this summer.

X-Factor:

Matt Henry swung the ball well in the 1st Test and returned with the match figures of 8 for 106 including a 5-fer in the 1st innings.

Pat Cummins insists Australia's bowlers were "not limping over the line” despite preparing for an unprecedented seventh straight Test together@ARamseyCricket | #NZvAUS https://t.co/HLD2sc8TgU — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 7, 2024

What are the Fantasy Suggested teams for NZ vs AUS, 2nd Test?

1. Alex Carey, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Travis Head, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Phillips (vc), Cameron Green (c), Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Matt Henry

2. Alex Carey, Steven Smith, Kane Williamson (c), Usman Khawaja, Tom Latham, Travis Head (vc), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Henry

The Aussies are all set in Christchurch, for their final Test assignment until next summer.#NZvAUS second Test ultimate guide ????https://t.co/cGGvp6bEip — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 7, 2024

Pre-Match Analysis:

New Zealand struggled completely against the spin in the 1st Test where they failed to achieve more than 200 runs in both innings as a result lost the match by a massive 172 runs. Barring half-centuries from Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra in New Zealand’s 1st and 2nd innings respectively the rest of the batters didn’t apply themselves to the conditions. There were a lot of positives in the bowling department with Matt Henry returning with a match figures of 8 for 106. It was Glenn Phillips who surprised everyone claiming his first-ever 5 wicket haul to bowl Australia for 164 in the 2nd innings. Ace batter Kane Williamson’s single-digit scores in both innings affected them immensely. With this loss, they dropped down to 2nd position in the WTC standings with a PCT of 60. They have to make a forced change to their squad for the 2nd Test with Ben Sears replacing injured William O’Rourke.

Australia’s dominance in the longest format over the neighbors New Zealand is just simply getting better as they completed their 35th win overall in 61 meetings. A brave-hearted effort from all-rounder Cameron Green put them in the driver’s seat as they posted 383 runs in the 1st innings with Green making an unbeaten 174* where he made an alliance of 116 runs for the 10th wicket alongside Josh Hazlewood. Bowling out cheaply for a mere 164 runs in the 2nd innings didn’t affect as they had a lead of just above 200 in the 1st innings. Nathan Lyon must be hailed for his stunning show in both innings as he finished the match with the figures of 10 for 108. They will be going with an unchanged eleven for the 2nd Test. With 7 wins, 3 losses, and a draw they are placed 3rd in the WTC Standings with a PCT of 59.09.