New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Match is scheduled to be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 29 February 2024. This article focuses on the pitch report of the Basin Reserve Wellington for the 1st Test between New Zealand and Australia. Here we have also covered the Test records and stats of the Basin Reserve Wellington.
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NZ vs AUS 1st Test 2024: Basin Reserve Wellington Pitch Report Today Match
The pitch at Basin Reserve Wellington is going to be a batting-friendly one. The pace bowlers will make an impact at the start of an innings with the swing. However, as the ball gets older, the swing will fade away and the batters will easily get runs. Hard lengths in the middle overs are going to be a key for the pacers. Someone like Pat Cummins will play a major role in the match. On the other hand, the spinners will definitely regret bowling on this wicket, and there is nothing for them on this pitch. The Basin Reserve Wellington pitch for today match between New Zealand and Australia will get better with each passing day for batting. The fourth and fifth days of the Test match is going to be the ideal time for the batters to bat on this pitch.
NZ vs AUS 1st Test 2024 Today Match: Basin Reserve Wellington Pitch for Batting or Bowling?
The pitch at the Basin Reserve Wellington is going to favour the batters. The bowlers will have to stick to the good line and lengths to make an impact.
NZ vs AUS 2nd Test 2024 Today Match: Basin Reserve Wellington Pitch for Pace or Spin
The pitch at the Basin Reserve Wellington will favour the pacers instead of the spinners. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will make an impact in the today match.
NZ vs AUS 1st Test 2024: Basin Reserve Wellington Test Records and Stats
The Basin Reserve, located in Wellington, New Zealand, has hosted cricket matches since its first Test match on January 24, 1930. Over the years, it has witnessed 67 Test matches, with the last one played on March 17, 2023. Among these matches, the home side has won 23, accounting for 34.33% of the total, while touring sides have won 20 matches, making up 29.85%.
There have been no victories for neutral sides on this ground. Teams batting second have emerged victorious in 29 matches, representing 43.28% of the total, while those batting first have won 14 matches, constituting 20.90%. Interestingly, winning the toss hasn’t had a significant advantage, as teams winning the toss have won 19 matches, while losing the toss hasn’t been a significant disadvantage either, with 24 wins.
Matches have often ended in draws, with 24 matches ending without a clear winner, accounting for 35.82% of the total matches played. Notably, there have been no tied matches at the Basin Reserve.
Some remarkable individual and team performances have graced this ground. Brendon McCullum’s 302 against India on February 14, 2014, stands as the highest individual innings, while Richard Hadlee’s 7/23 against India on February 13, 1976, remains the best bowling figures in an innings. Curtly Ambrose’s 13/55 against New Zealand on February 10, 1995, stands as the best bowling performance in a match.
The highest team innings recorded at the Basin Reserve is 680/8 declared by New Zealand against India on February 14, 2014. On the other hand, the lowest team innings stands at 42, achieved by New Zealand against Australia on March 29, 1946.
Pakistan holds the record for the highest successful run chase, reaching 277/3 against New Zealand on December 26, 2003. The average opening stand at the Basin Reserve is 32.36 runs, while the average runs per wicket and per over are 32.62 and 2.97, respectively. Teams batting first have averaged a score of 313 runs.
Also read: NZ vs AUS 1st Test 2024: List of Commentators and Umpires for Today Match 2024
| City | Wellington | ||
| Country | New Zealand | ||
| First Test Match | 24/01/1930 | ||
| Last Test Match | 17/03/2023 | ||
| Matches Played | 67 | ||
| Matches Won by Home Side | 23 (34.33%) | ||
| Matches Won by Touring Side | 20 (29.85%) | ||
| Matches Won by Neutral Side | 0 (0.00%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting First | 14 (20.90%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting Second | 29 (43.28%) | ||
| Matches Won Winning Toss | 19 (28.36%) | ||
| Matches Won Losing Toss | 24 (35.82%) | ||
| Matches Drawn | 24 (35.82%) | ||
| Matches Tied | 0 (0.00%) | ||
| Highest Individual Innings | 302 | B B McCullum (New Zealand) | 14/02/2014 v India |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 7/23 | R J Hadlee (New Zealand) | 13/02/1976 v India |
| Best Bowling (Match) | 13/55 | C A Walsh (West Indies) | 10/02/1995 v New Zealand |
| Highest Team Innings | 680/8 dec (New Zealand) | 14/02/2014 v India | |
| Lowest Team Innings | 42 (New Zealand) | 29/03/1946 v Australia | |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 277/3 (Pakistan) | 26/12/2003 v New Zealand | |
| Average Opening Stand (Runs) | 32.36 | ||
| Average Runs per Wicket | 32.62 | ||
| Average Runs per Over | 2.97 | ||
| Average Score Batting First | 313 | ||