Australia are again looking to go after Kiwi offspinner Mark Craig, having crushed his confidence in the recent home trans-Tasman Test series.
Craig hasn't played for his country since the third Test at Adelaide Oval.
The 28-year-old conceded 513 runs in that three-Test series at an average of 64.12, while he went for 849 runs at 84.90 including the tour games.
Mitchell Santner took Craig's place in the Blackcaps' Test XI following those performances but the left-arm tweaker's foot injury has resulted in Craig's recall for the first Test in Wellington starting on Friday.
"The boys played him really well back in Australia," Australia skipper Steve Smith said.
"If the wicket is nipping around a bit when the spinner comes on, I think he is certainly someone we can look to go after.
"But we'll just have to sum that up as the game goes on.
"The conditions are a little bit different here. The wicket has a little bit of grass on it, so it could potentially take a little bit of spin."
Australia adopted a similar approach with England offspinner Moeen Ali during last year's Ashes but it often backfired.
Ali finished that series with 12 wickets.
NZ skipper Brendon McCullum hoped Craig could perform a similar job, while defending the way he performed in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
"He actually didn't bowl that badly but the Australians played him really well," McCullum said.
"In the third Test he operated a lot better and he'll be familiar with these conditions.
"He'll fill an important role and ... we have to go in with a spinner. You've got to pick a team for five days."
McCullum added that Craig also offered a lot in the field and with the bat.
"He's a three-skilled player, which is often overlooked," He said.
"His runs with the bat have been huge for us down the order and his ability to catch at second slip is on par with anyone in the world.
"He's been excellent for us and a part of the transition into a winning team over the last few years as well."
Share
