New Zealand’s record in Australia might be modest, but they stand every chance of presenting a stern challenge when they tour this summer.
That is the message from West Australian cricket legends Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist, who believe the Black Caps are capable of going toe to toe with their all-conquering hosts in their upcoming four-game series.
Tuesday marked 50 days to go until the Test summer opens at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Wednesday, December 9.
Since New Zealand managed to draw a series against Australia’s golden generation in 2001, they have won only one of their 12 red-ball games played on the other side of the Tasman Sea.
But they currently sit at No.3 in the ICC’s Test rankings — above both fifth-placed England and fourth-placed India, who have visited for high-profile tours in the last two years.
While reserving a dig for the old enemy, Langer was full of praise for both the skill and the character of the Black Caps.
“Let’s hope they compete harder than England did here last year,” Langer said.
“They’ve got a very good fast bowling attack and they fight hard. They’re always in all the World Cup finals . . . they’ve got some of the best young talent around.
“They know, if they can come and beat Australia on our home shores, they have to be regarded as one of the great teams.
“They’re underdogs in a sense, but they’re always giants in how they go about their business.”
Gilchrist conceded the series may not have the profile of the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but said he remained “really excited” to see what will unfold across December and January.
“New Zealand have achieved something that this playing group — and this is a generational group of players in the Australian team — haven’t been able to thus far, and that’s to win in India and to win a series in England,” Gilchrist said.
“They know they haven’t achieved it here through limited opportunity in Australia, so they’ll be up for the challenge. It’s going to be really exciting.”
Perth will again play host to the first Test of the summer under an agreement between the State Government and Cricket Australia, which is entering its final year.
And Gilchrist, an adopted Sandgroper who has remained in the State since moving from New South Wales as a 22-year-old to kick-start his career, said he hoped visiting teams being sent to the west to start their tours would become a longtime tradition.
“What we saw last year in a very quick Test match is very entertaining cricket here at Optus Stadium,” he said.
“The atmosphere that second day, when Travis Head did what he did — if we can create that as often as possible, I think there’s the chance to build up a real history and heritage here, and make sure it gives the people of Perth and WA the opportunity to support it.”