The series will see two fast-bowling captains facing off against each other.

There was a considerable delay in the two captains posing for the customary pre-series trophy picture at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday (February 28). It started with the Australian team bus getting to the ground a little late, followed by a further wait as the Trans-Tasman trophy got sorted and ready to be photographed along with Tim Southee and Pat Cummins.

It gave the two fast-bowling Test captains some valuable time to reconnect and swap stories as they stood waiting in the little corridor in between the two dressing-rooms at the iconic Wellington venue. It was an evenly-participated catch-up with others, including former New Zealand captain turned Australian assistant coach, Daniel Vettori, jumping in at various times. A lot of laughter and quite a few reminiscences about the many battles the two captains and their teams have had over the years.

Of course, that doesn't include a lot of Tests on New Zealand soil. This will be the first for Cummins, who is on his first trip to Wellington, and also amazingly for Mitchell Starc, considering Australia haven't travelled across the Tasman Sea for Tests since early 2016.

Despite the significant lack of long-form contests between the two neighbouring countries in recent years, there's always an added sense of anticipation when they do face off against each other. It's if anything more to do with what many think should happen rather than expectations in terms of what could happen.

New Zealand's dreadful record in the last three decades, where they've only one a single Test out of 27, is well-publicised and is in itself as quirky a statistic as any in the modern game. The fact that the Aussies have managed to hold sway in such indomitable fashion despite the quality of players and teams that the Black Caps have put forth over the many battles they've had with their next-door nemeses. But still, every time they do get their next opportunity to set that record straight, there's always the hope that they'll finally manage to do so. It didn't help for sure that the Kiwis didn't host the Aussies during their best period at home which stretched from around 2017 to 2021. It's not to say that they once again don't start the series, as they usually do, having an equal chance to finally get rid of the hoodoo as well as failing to do so. Despite a couple of key injuries, there's enough world-class quality up and down the Black Caps line-up for them to be able to consolidate on their No 1 position in the current WTC table.

From an Australian perspective, the Test juggernaut carries on for two more weeks, one that they jumped on more or less around this time last year. Fresh from an unexpected loss at the Gabba against the West Indies, they've got enough time to refresh and resume their quest to defend their WTC title before a lengthy break from Tests through the winter.

When: New Zealand v Australia, 1st Test, February 29-March 4, 2024, 11:00 hrs Local Time, 09:00 hrs AEST, 03:30 hrs IST

Where: Basin Reserve, Wellington

What to expect: After two sunny yet cool days in Wellington, a cloudy Wednesday morning gave way to quite a few showers, even if none of them hung around for too long. They did ensure that the teams had to practice indoors at St Mark's School next door. Like everything else in Wellington, the clouds too were blown away more or less by the famous strong winds here. And it should stay clear for most parts over the first three days of the contest. There is a forecast for some rain on Days 4 and 5, but like they say here in Wellington, even that could change very quickly if the winds have anything to do with it.

The pitch as always here does carry a greenish tinge to it but that shouldn't automatically mean that it'll be a seamer's paradise. Runs, and loads of them, do still get scored routinely here at the Basin but expect the two fast-bowling captains to bowl first, especially if there's some grey in the skies above. The wind will be a factor, and not only because Nathan Lyon joked about having lost all his hair bowling into it here at the Basin 8 years ago.

Team News

New Zealand

Neil Wagner's retirement two days out from the opening Test was sort of telegraphed once William O'Rourke made a stellar debut against South Africa two weeks ago. The tall young quick immediately became a certainty because of the X-factor he brings to the table in the absence of the equally tall Kyle Jamieson. Devon Conway's injury comes at a bad time even if he's not been in the best of knick with regards to Test cricket. Will Young slots in as always while it looks likely that the weather conditions might dictate the inclusion of an additional seamer in the form of Scott Kuggeleijn ahead of the seasoned Mitchell Santner.

Probable XI:Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn/Mitch Santner, Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, William O'Rourke

Australia

Few teams love sticking to the tried and tested as Australia do, and with good reason. The top-order recalibration with Steve Smith opening and Cameron Green at No 4 is still a work in progress and at a very nascent stage of it getting settled. The legendary trio of fast bowlers continue to wage on without seeking a break, and so does Lyon with his mastery in a playing XI that has six players who'll be playing their first Test in New Zealand.