Aussies great NZ gauge: Boult

New Zealand quick Trent Boult says an inexperienced Australia will still provide a timely gauge to just how far the Black Caps have come in their Test revival.

Try telling New Zealand quick Trent Boult arch-rivals Australia are vulnerable ahead of this week's first Test.

Boult already rates the three-Test series in Australia as "the highlight of my career" and believes it will provide a true gauge to the Black Caps' resurgence.

Australia will field one of their most inexperienced line-ups in the first Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday following a spate of post-Ashes retirements.

But left-arm quick Boult reckons the Down Under series will show just how far New Zealand have come since launching their record undefeated Test run in 2013.

The Black Caps have not been beaten in their last seven Test series.

"We've got a good blueprint on how we want to play the game," Boult said.

"I couldn't think of a better opposition to test where we are at at the moment.

"While it is nice not to have the Pontings and the Clarkes, we know the guys coming in are no mugs and know these conditions well.

"This is the highlight of my career to be honest.

"To get a three match series in Australia, it doesn't get any better."

Boult vowed to be at top speed at the bouncy Gabba deck after recovering from a back injury that cut short his England tour this year.

The 26-year-old is expected to form a formidable new-ball pairing with fellow swing merchant Tim Southee on a typically juicy Gabba pitch.

Boult was equal leading wicket taker at the 2015 World Cup with Australia's Mitchell Starc, taking 22 wickets at 16.86.

His strike power helped New Zealand surge to a World Cup final where they were thrashed by Australia by seven wickets.

But if the Kiwis were keen to inflict World Cup revenge, Boult wasn't letting on.

"In terms of motivation I don't think you have to look further than what lies ahead," Boult said.

"We haven't beaten Australia in a series in 30 years - there's some motivation there.

"In terms of revenge over the World Cup final, I can't see too much of that happening."

Boult is one of six surviving members of the New Zealand team that beat Australia in their last Test - at Hobart by seven runs back in 2011.

Four years later, Boult is daring to dream of a rare series win in Australia.

"Personally that was a massive game in my career - it was a great taste," said Boult who has 123 Test wickets at 27.12.

"The next step is a series win which I am sure would be even sweeter."

New Zealand have won just three Tests on Australian soil and defeated their trans-Tasman rivals only eight times overall since they initially met in 1946.

The Black Caps last won a Test series in Australia in 1985.


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world