Emotions would be running high as New Zealand take on Australia in the first Test of the two-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, on Friday (February 12). Brendon McCullum is all set to create history by becoming the first Test cricketer to play a hundred games on the trot since debut. Unfortunately though, this record appearance would also be the penultimate time the 34-year old takes field for New Zealand. He has already made public his decision to retire after this series.
The fact that McCullum is earning his 100th Test cap, and without missing a single one since his first in 2004, speaks volumes about his fitness, consistency and commitment to the game. Only two former greats, Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming, have played more 111 each for New Zealand. Irrespective of how the series pans out, personally, McCullum will also sign off as the second best run-getter for the country, behind Fleming’s tally of 7172. Australia claimed the last Test series between the two nations, 2-0 at home including a win in the historic day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval. This time, however, they seem more vulnerable. The visitors landed without two of their most potent bowlers retired Mitchell Johnson and injured Mitchell Starc, and even though claim to have at least a couple of their batsmen – David Warner and Usman Khawaja – in the finest form of their lives, the lack of a practice game would certainly be a factor. New Zealand not only have the home advantage but also a better bowling attack, at least on paper. The pitch has a generous helping of grass on it, probably to serve the visitors a bitter reminder of their Ashes debacle last year. And Steven Smith was quick to admit their shortcoming.
