Zealand will look to bounce back and seal the series when they host Trans-Tasman rivals Australia in the second and final Test in a crucial World Test Championship clash at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch from Friday (March 8).

Tim Southee-led New Zealand lost the series opener to Pat Cummins-led World Test Champions Australia by 172 run on the final day of the first Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington last week. Put into bat, Australia rode on Cameron Green's unbeaten 174 to score a total of 383 in the first innings before Nathan Lyon's four-wicket haul helped claim a 204-run lead after New Zealand's first innings finished at 179 All Out. Glenn Phillips claimed a fifer to get New Zealand back into the contest, but the Blackcaps needed to chase 369 in the fourth innings to pull off a victory. Lyon, however, carried his form from the first innings to claim a six-wicket haul to bundle out New Zealand for 196. Now, the two sides will clash in Christchurch, where Australia have won their only meeting with Kiwis at the venue back in 2016 when the visitors batted last at the Hagley Oval to chase down 200 plus in the fourth innings. Australia, who will look for a repeat result eight years later, remained unchanged for the second Test, while New Zealand, who didn't reveal their playing 11, are likely to hand Ben Sears a Test debut. It will be a special day for Kiwis skipper Southee and star batter Kane Williamson, who are set to make their 100th Test appearance, becoming the fifth and sixth New Zealanders to reach the milestone after Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum. Here is a look at the NZ vs AUS playing 11, head to head record, Christchurch Haley Oval Test stats, records and top performers at the venue ahead of the Trans-Tasman Series 2024 first Test: New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Playing 11 NZ XI (Likely): Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner/Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (captain), Ben Sears. AUS XI: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. NZ vs AUS Test Head To Head Record In 61 NZ vs AUS head to head in Tests, New Zealand has won just 8 times, while Australia has won 35 times against their Trans-Tasman neighbours with 18 Tests ending in a draw. In New Zealand, Australia has won 15 times and drawn 7 of the 27 Tests with the home side winning just 5 times.