AUS v NZ | Changes to lineup will depend on Melbourne conditions, says Kane Williamson
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has confirmed that probable changes to the team’s lineup for the Boxing Day Test — second of the three-match series — will depend on the conditions at the MCG. Meanwhile injured Lockie Ferguson, who has left Australia, could be replaced by Trent Boult.
Though their batting unit failed collectively, opening batsman Jeet Raval looked completely out of sorts in either inning. Whether that means one further change to the side in the next match is down to the conditions in Melbourne, according to the skipper.
"I suppose Jeet is like every other batsman in the world and that's what they want more and more runs and you always have good days and bad days. These are some hard lessons for him and great experiences as well. In terms of looking forward, just having finished this game, it's important that we reflect on it and any selections will be based upon the surfaces and the squad that we have at the time," Williamson said.
Though the bowling held their own reasonably well, it was blatant to the spectator that the Australians were simply more suited to the pink ball and day-night Test conditions. However, Williamson refused to blame a lack of time to prepare for the particular setting as an excuse for the crushing loss.
"It's hard to just blame preparation. It's always impossible to know what the perfect preparation is, but there are some parts to the pink-ball Test that are unique. We've just come off the back of a couple of Test matches against England and there's simply not enough time to achieve all of those things,” he said.
"It was important that we just tried to address a number of the parts that we had to adapt to, quickly as possible in training. By no means did we play our best cricket, but at the same time, Australia were outstanding throughout this game. Their cricket, but also their pink-ball tactics, were right on point and they basically led from start to finish in this game,” Williamson added.