Australia is undergoing a three-match home Test series assignment against New Zealand from the 12th of December. The hosts have done well in the first Test and secured a 1-0 lead in the Test series against the Black Caps. Referring to the performance of Australian cricketers, former English captain Michael Vaughan has commented on Twitter that only India has the capability to beat Aussies in Test cricket in Australia. Later, Brendon McCullum and Mark Waugh replied to the former English captain.
In the first innings, Australian cricketers smashed the visitors and set the first innings total of 416 runs. Marnus Labuschagne went out on Neil Wagner’s bowl when he was just seven runs away from reaching 150. Apart from him, David Warner (43), Steve Smith (43), and Travis Head (56) helped Australia to build the mammoth total.
In response, New Zealand could score only a total of 166 runs where Ross Taylor (80) managed the maximum runs in his kit. Meanwhile, starting their second innings with the lead of 250 runs, Australia scored 217/9 decl in their second innings. Labuschagne (50) and Joe Burns (53) completed half-centuries in the second innings.
Chasing down the 468 runs target in this day/night Test, New Zealand were bundled out for just 171 runs in their fourth innings. Australia won this Test by 296 runs.
Meanwhile, Australia has been in top form, thrashing Pakistan 2-0 in the recently-concluded two-Test series at home. So far, they dominated the first Test against New Zealand at Perth and have taken the 1-0 lead in this three-match home Test series.
McCullum and Waugh replied to Michael Vaughan who posted that only India could beat Australia on their soil
Referring to the on-going home assignment of Australia during the Perth Test, the former English cricketer Michael Vaughan posted on his Twitter account that apart from India, no other team has the tools to defeat Aussies in their home.
Only 1 Team in the World can compete in Aussie conditions against this Australian Team .. that’s #India .. No other team has the tools imo .. #AUSvNZ @FoxCricket
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2019
Replying to Vaughan, the former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum tweeted that Trent Boult is to make a come back in the next game. And with him being by their side, it won’t be easy for the hosts to win the series. Meanwhile, McCullum did accept that the first game will not end up in their favour.
Bit of an early crow here Vaughny? Boult to come back in will be a huge benefit to Nz. As will not having to start batting against the new pink ball under lights! Aus likely to go 1-0 up but seen enough to suggest it won’t be one way traffic throughout. Time will tell I guess..?
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) December 15, 2019
Following Brendon, the former Australian opener Mark Waugh also participated in the on-going Twitter rift. He said that the lack of a quality spinner for Kiwis is going to cost them the two upcoming Tests.
Lack of a quality spinner big issue for NZ in the next 2 tests.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) December 15, 2019
India, on the other hand, has been on a roll in 2019, winning seven out of the eight Tests they have played this year. The last time the ‘Men in Blue’ visited Australia (2018/19), they made history by winning their first Test series on the Australian soil.