Australia Win Toss, Bowl First Against New Zealand
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first against New Zealand Friday on a green-tinged wicket in the second Test in Christchurch.
"It looks pretty good with a touch of green there," Cummins said while highlighting the need for a more complete performance from his side at Hagley Oval.
New Zealand skipper Tim Southee noted the wicket would make it tough for the opening batsmen in the first hour, but said teams batting first in Christchurch had put up high scores in the past.
New Zealand, marking the 100th Test appearances of Southee and batsman Kane Williamson, need to win if they are to protect their run of being unbeaten in home series since 2017.
That record is under threat after Australia comprehensively won the first Test in Wellington by 172 runs.
Australia have retained the same combination that closed out the first Test.
New Zealand have made one change with seamer Ben Sears making his Test debut coming in for injured paceman Will O'Rourke.
The forecast in Christchurch is for fine weather throughout the Test.
Teams
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (capt), Ben Sears
Australia: Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Nitin Menon (IND)
TV Umpire: Michael Gough (ENG)
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
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