Test match an epic mismatch on paper

On paper it is a test cricket mismatch of epic proportions.

After a shaky early summer at home, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has that swagger back as he brings a prolific batting lineup and an inexperienced but fiery pace attack to the Basin Reserve, against a New Zealand side primarily out to prove their test cricketing credibility.

The hosts haven't beaten Australia in a test since 1993 and at New Zealand's favourite cricket ground have lost three of their past five tests by big margins; 217 runs against Sri Lanka (2006), 126 runs against England (2008) and 141 runs against Pakistan in December before a 1-1 series draw.

Even the most dedicated New Zealand cricket follower might pause indecisively over his or her wallet, despite the juicy odds of $7 on offer for a home victory.

New Zealand, ranked sixth in the world to Australia's third, have at least done everything right off the field in recent days.

Former test captain and batting guru Martin Crowe spent two days with the batsmen, preaching patience and concentration at the crease and the need to meet an expected Australian pace barrage on the front foot.

Trainings have stretched for up to four hours as Crowe and coach Mark Greatbatch try to simulate test conditions amid a glut of limited-over slogfests.

Left-armers James Franklin and Neil Wagner were summoned to bowl at the New Zealand top-order today to mimic the trajectory of Australian lefties Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson.

Former Australian spinner Ashley Mallett even joined the camp, spending time with tweaker Jeetan Patel, although captain Daniel Vettori strongly hinted Patel would miss the cut in favour of debut paceman Brent Arnel on an expected bouncy Basin pitch.

"The buildup's gone as well as it could have," Vettori said.

"We've been lucky enough to train in some really good facilities and guys have been as specific as they can. But preparation doesn't mean anything if we can't back it up."

New Zealand's selectors kept a stable lineup from their 121-run win against Bangladesh in their previous test in Hamilton last month, with Arnel for Patel appearing the only likely change.

The tall 31-year-old, with 106 first-class wickets at 24.05, got Vettori's seal of approval today and will likely get straight into action tomorrow with Ponting's preference to bat first and New Zealand likely to bowl if they win the toss.

"He (Arnel) is pretty consistent. He puts it in the right areas for the majority of the time and on a wicket that's got a bit of something in it, then that's pretty crucial. He bowls the right lengths so we just hope he's ready for the step up," Vettori said.

But the spotlight will shine brightest on the New Zealand top-order as Tim McIntosh (11 tests), BJ Watling (2) and Peter Ingram (1) try to give the powerful middle order of Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Vettori and Brendon McCullum a solid base.

Ponting, who rolled into some ominous form in the ODIs, averaged 97.66 in Australia's 2-0 series win here in 2005.

He hinted batsman Phil Hughes, allrounder Steve Smith and paceman Clint McKay would miss the cut, with Ryan Harris set to take the new ball on debut provided he passed a fitness test on his side strain.

Michael Clarke (personal issues) and Marcus North (form) at least provide some potential targets for New Zealand's bowlers if they can get the ball to swing.

Said Vettori: "Clarke's record speaks for itself so I'm sure he'll be fine. North's a guy we haven't seen a lot of, just video footage against West Indies and Pakistan. The goal for us is too keep him under pressure. You want to put it on all the top-six, and (Brad) Haddin and even Johnson, the batting form he's in.

"There's going to be key moments in the game and if we can keep that pressure on then we have a chance of winning."

- NZPA