NZ vs AUS Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Feb 28, 2024
New Zealand and Australia will play the first Test of their two-match series. The Aussies and New Zealanders currently occupy first and fifth position in the International Cricket Council's rankings for Test teams.
There are valuable ICC World Test Championship points on the line, too. There will be plenty to bet on before and during this key clash. Consider our expert insight about the best odds and markets on cricket betting sites in India.
New Zealand vs Australia head-to-head record
Australia have five victories to New Zealand's zero in their last five Test meetings. That's a dominant winning streak from the Aussies.
New Zealand vs Australia live streaming and broadcast
You can watch this Test series opener and the rest of the tour on the JioCinema app in India. This is a great way to live stream cricket online from India.
Enjoy these cricket betting tips for the first Test between New Zealand and Australia, which will start in Wellington on 29 February 2024.
NZ vs AUS Team Previews
New Zealand
New Zealand lost the preceding T20I series against Australia three-nil. The home side will appreciate the change in format and the opportunity to reset against their old enemy. Homeground advantage could play in the Black Caps' favour, but they will be hard pressed against a motivated touring team.
The big news coming out of the Kiwis' camp is that Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are each approaching 100 Tests. They'll play their 99ths in the series opener before their 100s arrive in the second Test. These are tremendous individual and collective milestones from current captain Southee and predecessor Williamson.
New Zealand will be without fast bowler Trent Boult for this match and the rest of the series. Scott Kuggeleijn is effectively in the squad instead of Boult. All-rounder Daryl Mitchell should return to the XI after a stint on the sidelines, while here is another chance for Rachin Ravindra to stake his claim as one of the best young batters in Test cricket around the world.
New Zealand Playing 11
Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, William O'Rourke.
Australia
Australia will want to maintain their status at the top of the ICC's rankings for Test teams. But the third-placed Aussies also need to gain points on the first-placed New Zealanders on the 2023-25 World Test Championship points table. We're in for an interesting tussle, indeed.
Australia have included seamer Michael Neser in the squad, but fast bowler Lance Morris has been kept out by injury. The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, of course, headline the attack. All-rounder Cameron Green is also among the pack.
Whether Steven Smith continues to open the batting is an enticing prospect. But the Aussies have selected Matt Renshaw as a back-up as well. With David Warner not around, this is a big juncture in Renshaw's career. He'll want to make the opportunity count.
Australia Playing 11
Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
NZ vs AUS Toss Prediction
The venue for this series opener is the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The last three Tests here have brought three decisions to bowl first at the toss.
It's highly probable the team to win the toss this time will choose to field first as well in an attempt to take advantage of early bowling conditions.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
Results in the last three Tests at the Basin Reserve suggests we are going to see more teams bowled out than we are going to see declarations.
A first-innings total of 400-plus could be competitive, provided the bowlers are able to follow that up with discipline and accuracy.
Anticipate pace-heavy bowling attacks, but at least one specialist spinner for each team.
Little to no rain is forecast in Wellington for the scheduled five days.
NZ vs AUS Betting Tips
Australia are looking in a significantly stronger position to win this match than New Zealand. Cummins and his fellow fast bowlers will have a big role to play.
Bet on 1.59 favourites Australia to beat 4.15 underdogs New Zealand. A draw is priced at 4.60.
Bonus Cricket Bets
Smith is in a relatively new position at the top of the order, but he knows how to adapt and score big runs anywhere in the order. Anticipate a big showing from him as a Test match opener.
Williamson scored three successive centuries in Test cricket against South Africa earlier this year. Need we say more...
There is a 50 percent chance of the home side winning the toss. Back them to do so. If they do, they will probably choose to bowl first.
Cummins has taken 263 wickets in 60 Tests. That's an impressive record over an extended period. He has been in great form in Test match cricket for a long time.
Kuggeleijn could be selected for his second Test ever. The chances of him succeeding while Boult is away are promising. He's at longer odds to be NZ's top bowler in the first innings, but this is a bet well worth placing.
Who will win NZ vs AUS
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.