ZCZC
BSP-07
CRICKET-AUS-NZL
Starc and Cummins spearhead Australia against N. Zealand
BRISBANE, Australia, May 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Australia bowl first in their
final practice match Friday against a New Zealand XI with pace spearheads
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins playing together for the first time in three
months.
The three-match series — not counted as full internationals — is tied 1-
1, with Australia aiming for a confidence-boosting win before heading to
England to defend their World Cup title.
They won a close opening game by one wicket while their trans-Tasman rivals
bounced back to easily claim the second by seven wickets.
Skipper Aaron Finch was rested with wicketkeeper Alex Carey named as
captain.
Steve Smith and David Warner were again selected as they continue their
comeback to international cricket after serving one-year bans for ball-
tampering.
Warner will open with Usman Khawaja as coach Justin Langer continues to
experiment with his top order. Smith was to come in at first drop.
Australia are fielding a full-strength bowling attack with Nathan Coulter-
Nile and Jason Behrendorff joining Starc, on the comeback from injury — and
Cummins.
Teams
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Marcus
Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins,
Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff
New Zealand: Hamish Rutherford, George Walker, Will Young, Tom Blundell,
Tom Latham (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Will Somerville, Matt
Henry, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0834 hrs