Cricket: Blacks Caps fired up to make MCG history

New Zealand made two changes for the Boxing Day Test with fast bowler Trent Boult back from injury and Tom Blundell replacing Jeet Ravel at the top of the order.

New Zealand players soak up the vibe at the MCG on Christmas Day

New Zealand made two changes for the Boxing Day Test against Australia with fast bowler Trent Boult back from injury and Tom Blundell replacing Jeet Ravel at the top of the order.

The dangerous Boult missed the first Test in Perth, where his team crashed by 296 runs, with a rib injury that also kept him out of their final clash against England.

But he has worked his way back to fitness, desperate to play in the Black Caps’ first Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1987, with a crowd of more 75,000 expected on day one.

Williamson also confirmed Blundell, usually a middle-order batsman, would open alongside Tom Latham in place of the out-of-form Ravel.

“He’s a positive player and a smart cricketer so it’s just trying to adapt to the conditions. It’s important he goes out and plays his natural game,” Williamson said of Blundell.

“He’s been a very good player for a long time and he’s a mature head … it’s a really exciting opportunity for him.”

New Zealand have had 10 days to recover from their Perth day-night Test thrashing, which saw their batsmen skittled for 166 and 171.

Williamson said they had learned from their mistakes.

Kane Williamson ducks a bouncer at the MCG nets

“Perth was tough and Australia are very good and tactically sound,” he said after his team were put through their paces in the nets on Christmas Day.

“It’s important we learn from some bits of Perth but turn our focus to Melbourne and changing conditions and perhaps not be too reactive to that performance.”

Williamson was also keen to ensure his players do not get carried away with playing in front of such a big crowd during one of the most prestigious days on the cricket calendar.

New Zealand bowler Trent Boult sends down a delivery at the MCG nets

“I guess there’s a sense of romance about being involved in the Boxing Day Test … at the same time it’s about removing a little bit of that and bringing the focus back to the cricket and making those improvements we need to.”

A big crowd is expected with New Zealand fans snapping up thousands of tickets to witness the December 26 appearance by their team at one of cricket’s most famous grounds.

Extra flights were reportedly scheduled between Auckland and Melbourne to cater for demand.

The last time New Zealand faced Australia in a Boxing Day Test was 1987, before many of the current squad were born, with the home side holding on for a draw despite blistering bowling from legendary quick Richard Hadlee.

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What sort of wicket they find on Thursday is the great unknown. Only a fortnight ago, play was abandoned during a domestic Sheffield Shield game at the ground due to a dangerous pitch, with erratic bounce seeing balls rise sharply and unexpectedly to pummel the batsmen.

Ground curator Matt Page has since been working to prepare a new pitch.

Australia go into the second of three Tests without bowling kingpin Josh Hazlewood who was injured in Perth. James Pattinson is set to replace him as the third quick alongside Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who has been lethal this summer.

Boult said patience and consistency would be New Zealand’s best weapons in Melbourne.

“Basically, I think the same rules apply to a lot of batsmen,” he said. “If you can kind of be patient and outlast them and try to put some pressure on them to draw the error, then that would be the starting point.”

AFP