Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson on Wednesday said Australia were surprised by the substandard performance of New Zealand pacer Trent Boult at the Gabba and plan to continue piling the pressure on the left-armer in the second Test at the WACA.
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New Zealand are unbeaten in their last seven test series but McCullum said the Black Caps knew they would have to up their game from Brisbane to keep this one alive going into the third match in Adelaide.
“The conditions are going to be pretty similar to the Gabba”, Smith said.
Both captains thought the game was played in a good spirit but Smith was disappointed at Starc throwing the ball at New Zealand tailender Mark Craig towards the end of the match when there was no run-out possible.
Southee suffered an irritated disc in his back while bowling Thursday in the first innings of the first Test at Brisbane, which Australia won by 208 runs. “If we can be more consistent for long periods of time, we’ll definitely show that”.
Hesson said Southee is “progressing well. Australia may be too good for us”, he told reporters in a pre-match briefing, according to Sydney Morning Herald. “That first hour in the first session is going to be crucial for us”, opening batsman Tom Latham said.
“I think about it most days”, Johnson said when asked about when he would hang up the boots.
Temperatures are expected to reach 37°C during the second Test and the Waca has produced a result in each of its last eight Tests, with Australia winning five of those contests, including a 150-run win over England in 2013.
New Zealand where given a target of 504 to win the first Test at Brisbane which seemed impossible knowing how tough it will be for their batsman to play Nathan Lyon on the turning day 4-5 pitch.
“Technically, he’s probably as equipped as any of them because I think he can take that technique to all different types of pitches”.
“He’ll do what’s right for the team and hopefully that is that he can take his place in the line-up because he’s an outstanding bowler and an influential member for us”.
There have been times in recent years when Australia might have considered including Siddle and played four quicks at the WACA.
Starc’s career-best match figures came at the venue in 2012, while Johnson’s 8-61 at the WACA in 2008 is his best haul in a Test innings.
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“It’s nice to have a spinner that bowls really well on bouncy tracks”, Smith said.
