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Australia recall Jackson Bird for first Test against New Zealand

Image: Jackson Bird has not played a Test match since the Ashes of 2013

Australia have recalled fast bowler Jackson Bird for the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington as both sides confirmed their teams on the eve of the match.

Bird, who played the last of his three Tests in the 2013 Ashes, replaces James Pattinson, who is struggling with injury.

Skipper Steve Smith said: "The selectors aren't 100 percent sure that [Pattinson] will get through this Test match and Jackson Bird has been bowling extremely well. 

"We saw him for the first time in the nets yesterday and he bowled extremely well. He's bowling with quite good pace, he's hitting a good area and he's swinging the ball, and swinging it late, which is a great attribute to have.

"If he gets the ball in the right areas in this Test match I think he can do a bit of damage."

New Zealand have also reshuffled their side because of injury, with Henry Nicholls replacing Ross Taylor (side strain) for his debut while Mark Craig gets a start as the sole spinner in place of injured Mitchell Santner. 

Steven Smith understands it is frustrating for Usman Khawaja to miss out on Australia's first ome-day international against New Zealand
Image: Steve Smith (left) hopes to spoils McCullum's big match

Doug Bracewell has been named in the third seamer's role ahead of Neil Wagner.

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"It was incredibly tough on Wags because he's done such a great job for us," said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.

"But with losing Santner to injury and the balance of the team, we have to go in with a spinner. You've got to pick a team for five days and Mark Craig came back into calculations."

Brendon McCullum
Image: Brendon McCullum will play his 100th Test match in Wellington

McCullum, heading into his milestone 100th Test, predicted the green-topped wicket meant the side winning the toss would bowl first. 

"With the forecast I'd imagine it will dry out a bit quicker than we've seen, but the first couple of days will be challenging," he said.

The clash at the Basin Reserve is McCullum's 100th Test match and he will bow out of international cricket after the second and final Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch next week.

"It will be nice to tick off a series win against Australia," he added. "It will be pretty special to be able to do it at home.

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"It's also nice to be able to have one of your last Tests and the 100th Test on such a special ground." 

Smith is planning on spoiling McCullum's big game, saying: "He's been a terrific cricketer for New Zealand for a long time now and anyone that plays 100 Tests that's an incredible achievement, and hopefully we can make it a pretty average one for him. We want to win.
 
"We want to be number one in all formats of the game. That's our goal." 

New Zealand: Guptill, Latham, Williamson, Nicholls, McCullum (capt), Anderson, Watling, Bracewell, Craig, Southee, Boult 

Australia: Burns, Warner, Khawaja, Smith (capt), Voges, Marsh, Nevill, Siddle, Hazlewood, Lyon, Bird

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