Black Caps take sunny stance for pink ball test

Jimmy Neesham with the pink ball during a Black Caps practise match. Photo / Getty

At every opportunity, the pink ball test is being raised before the New Zealand players as if it's already the biggest story of the tour.

In time it may turn out to be, but a small point to remember: there's two tests to be played before New Zealand and Australia pitch up in Adelaide at the end of next month for a test which could variously be A: a damp squib if the series is 2-0 to Australia; B: a cracker if it's to decide the rubber; or C: a chance to enjoy the occasion if New Zealand have already won the rubber.

New Zealand have adopted a positive mindset on the subject, while their hosts scratch about like fidgety hens, with players and officials suggesting maybe it's not too late to change it back to a red ball test.

New Zealand have also been nimble in their thinking.

The match against a Cricket Australia XI starting today in Sydney, on what is expected to be a flat, undemanding pitch, has been trimmed from four to three days, enabling an early flight to Brisbane on Sunday to get in an extra day's training in conditions far more akin to what they'll find next Thursday when the first test starts at the Gabba.

Australia's leading players are involved in a round of day-night Sheffield Shield matches which yesterday kicked off their domestic first-class programme. Their test squad will be named after the round.

It's hardly ideal test preparation, and New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham said yesterday that given a choice, he'd rather have the tourists' leadup.

"It's important to get practice in the conditions most similar to what you're going to be playing in," he said. "Quicker, bouncier wickets are the way to go."

That said, Neesham pointed out New Zealand have consciously played down the bounce for which the Gabba is famed, captain Brendon McCullum having told his players to think in terms of the Basin Reserve pitch as a comparison point.

Certainly the Basin has bounce, but nothing like the speed which could come New Zealand's way next week.

Indeed, the bounce will offer potential for New Zealand's seamers, as well as Australia's quicks, with Neesham pointing out Tim Southee, in particular, relishes conditions which offer lift.

Australia last lost a test in Brisbane 27 years ago, against the West Indies. Since then, they've won 19 and drawn seven of the 26 tests at the Gabba.

Neesham acknowledged that statistic could be "a little over-awing", but "we know we have a strong team and settled unit, and if we play as we can it should put us in good stead".

Neesham pointed out New Zealand have played good cricket for a couple of years now, in a range of conditions around the globe, haven't been beaten in their last seven series and "we'll just approach the series like every other one".

New Zealand's team to play a young CA XI won't be named until this morning, but there's a strong chance it will closely resemble the likely first test lineup.