Wednesday 4 November 2015 15:40, UK
Can New Zealand dislodge the Trans Tasman Trophy from Australia's grasp?
Ahead of the first Test, live on Sky Sports 1 from midnight on Wednesday, we asked Jason Gillespie and James Franklin for their verdict on the series ahead.
In part one of our feature the pair talked bowling attacks. Now it's time for the batters, plus their all-important verdict on the series scoreline…
Will either side's batsmen run riot in this series?
James Franklin: Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are so crucial to the team's batting make-up - they're the guys who can bat for long periods of time and lay the foundation for the likes of Brendon McCullum and Jimmy Neesham to play their natural games. It's not a great feeling for a bowling line-up if New Zealand are 175-3 and Brendon walks to the crease so if the top order can get the innings off to a decent start then there's every chance of getting 350-400 on the board and you're always in with a shout in any game of cricket if you can do that.
Jason Gillespie: Both teams have got exciting young batsmen. New Zealand in Kane Williamson have got one of the best players I've seen for a long time. We've had him at Yorkshire - he's a fantastic guy and a fantastic player; definitely someone Australia need to get on top of.
Steve Smith has gone from strength to strength and I'm sure captaincy will sit very comfortably with him. He'll lead by example from the front. He works very hard at his game but what he does is, he has a technique that is very different from other players, one thing that is really pleasing for me is that he's backed himself and trusted his game even if it isn't conventional. He's proved that classical techniques don't necessarily equate to run-making ability.
Will the day-night Test or the pink ball favour either side?
JG: I personally believe it's a great initiative and it's worth trying. As a former player I completely understand some reservations that players might have - there are all sorts of things being bandied about like how at a certain time of the evening it's difficult for batsmen to combat the swinging ball; it loses its shine or lacquer. You can get a cloudy morning up at the Gabba on day one of a Test and the ball seams around on a green, seaming wicket - that's a challenge as well but we don't hear people say there's an unfair advantage either way - that's cricket.
Yes, there might be some challenging periods but we've got to be seen to be proactive as a sport and stay relative in the market place. We hear these arguments time and again but the reality is that if we don't try it we won't know. We need to keep Test cricket alive and relevant. We're in the entertainment business and if it brings new crowds and new people to the game then it's great.
JF: It's a bit of an unknown at this stage. There has been a little bit of feeling around the day-night Test and, reading between the lines, I don't think many of the players are really looking forward to playing in it. It's more of a commercial gimmick at this stage and something that boards around the world are still evaluating in terms of whether it's a viable option or not. That Test is a guinea pig game but when it comes to the captains walking out to toss the coin, both teams will want to compete and win.
JG: These players now should look at this as a real positive because they have an opportunity to say 'we were pioneers for day-night Test cricket' and gave feedback on how it went.
What's your series verdict?
JF: It's a tough one. I'd like to think that New Zealand will really compete and win over there. So much hinges on the first Test. Australia are very good in their own back yard and it's very hard for any team to go there and win. But if New Zealand can compete in the first Test and draw it or even win it that will set them up nicely for the remainder of the series. If Australia win in Brisbane I think it will be hard for New Zealand to come back and win the series.
JG: Australia deservedly start as favourites - even if with New Zealand now have a more experienced batting line-up given the number of Australian retirements. I'd like to think Australia will just nudge ahead but the Kiwis are going to give us one hell of a battle, that's for sure.
Watch the first Test between Australia and New Zealand from midnight, Wednesday, Sky Sports 2.
