Cricket News

Rachin Ravindra fit, Devon Conway faces fitness race as Kiwis eye historic win against Australia

The anticipation is high as the Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand and Australia, gear up for a two-match Test series, which is expected to begin on February 29th at the historic Basin Reserve in Wellington. This highly awaited encounter promises to be a thrilling battle between the World Test Champions, Australia and is determined that the New Zealand side is eager to prove their mettle on home soil.

Both the teams boast world-class players, and the series is expected to be a tight contest, offering a glimpse into their potential for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle.

Injury concerns continue to plague hosts

Adding on to this, intrigue to the series is the news that New Zealand’s batting star, Rachin Ravindra, has been declared fit for the first Test. Ravindra, known for his elegant stroke-making and crucial contributions in recent matches, has missed the last two T20Is against the same opposition due to knee soreness. His return bolsters the New Zealand batting line-up, providing much-needed stability.

However, concerns are prevailing the fellow opener Devon Conway, who suffered a thumb injury during the same series. While he was cleared to travel with the team, Conway will have to undergo scans and participate in net sessions before receiving the green light for the first Test. His potential absence would be a significant blow to the New Zealand batting order, as he has done a remarkable job for the Black Caps over some time.

The head coach, Gary Stead has said that in an ideal scenario, the Kiwis would love for Conway to be available and so, they will wait until the last minute before taking a call. “He’s going to get more scans later today and more expertise on it. We want Devon to play. He’s a key person I think in our batting order. His record speaks for itself. So we want to give him every chance of being available,” Stead said.

New Zealand desperately hopes to have Conway available for selection, as his presence at the top of the order is crucial for their chances of achieving a rare victory against Australia in familiar conditions. The Kiwis haven’t tasted success against their trans-Tasman rivals in a Test match on New Zealand soil since 1993, and their last overall victory against them in the longest format dates back to 2011. Conway’s experience and recent form would be invaluable in their quest to break this long-standing drought and upset the World Test Champions.