Australia unchanged for second Test with New Zealand in Perth
Thursday 12 November 2015 10:00, UK
Australia have opted to stick with the same team for the second Test against New Zealand, which starts in Perth on Friday.
It means seamer Peter Siddle, left out of the side for their opening victory in Brisbane, does not get a recall with the hosts continuing to favour Josh Hazlewood.
Siddle was dropped from the pace attack at the Gabba with the hosts easing to a 208-run victory to kick off the three-match Test series in style.
Ahead of Friday's latest showdown between the two fierce rivals, Australia captain Steve Smith said: "The conditions are going to be pretty similar to the Gabba.
"It looks a very good wicket out there, so we've gone in with the same team."
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Although Smith was critical of the new-ball attack in Brisbane, the selectors have retained Hazlewood along with left-armers Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc to bowl on what is traditionally a quick, bouncy wicket at the WACA.
Siddle, who bowled Australia to victory in the final match of the Ashes series earlier this year with figures of 4-35 in the second innings at the Oval, said last week he was "shocked" to be omitted from the team for the first Test.
"Siddle was talked about," Smith added. "He's bowling really well at the moment, but we've won the last Test with this line-up."
Smith suggested that Hazlewood might have been left out if only to give him a break.
The skipper added; "Josh's loads are quite high at the moment - he's bowled quite a lot over the past month or two.
"So it was definitely spoken about. But we think he's going to do a great job."
Team: David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh
