NZ vs AUS 1st Test Pitch Report: Basin Reserve Wellington Venue Stats, Record, Average Score

After the T20 series, it is time for the 2-Test series between New Zealand and Australia with the first game starting on Thursday. The Basin Reserve in Wellington will host the game at 3:30 AM IST.

New Zealand are coming to this series off a 2-0 home win against a young South African team. On the other hand, Australia drew the home series 1-1 against West Indies. With 24 WTC points on the line, both teams will look to bring their best game to secure the victory.

Seating Capacity: 11600
Number of matches hosted: 67 Tests and 30 ODIs

Basin Reserve Wellington Pitch Report

It is a flat and hard surface. There might be some grass cover and the pacers will get some seam movement with the new ball in the first hour of the first day. However, the wicket will ease out for the batters and it will be a batting paradise for the first three days at least. Meanwhile, the spinners are not expected to get much help off the surface.

Is Basin Reserve Wellington batting or bowling pitch?

It is a Batting-Friendly wicket. Expect the two quality sides to notch up big totals in this contest.

Last Three Results at the Venue

• New Zealand (580/4 dec.) defeated Sri Lanka (164 f/o & 358) by an innings and 58 runs – 17th to 20th March 2023
• England (435/8 dec. & 256) lost to New Zealand (209 f/o & 483) by 1 run – 24th to 28th February 2023
• New Zealand (460) defeated West Indies (131 f/o & 317) by an innings and 12 runs – 11th to 14th December 2020

New Zealand Test record at Basin Reserve

New Zealand have played a total of 67 Test matches at this venue. They have won 23, lost 20, and drawn 24.

New Zealand’s Highest Total at the venue: 680/8 dec. vs India in 2014
New Zealand’s Lowest Total at the venue: 42/10 vs Australia in 1946

Australia Test record at Basin Reserve

Australia have played a total of 10 Test matches at this venue. They have won 4, lost 1, and drawn 5.

Australia’s Highest Total at the venue: 570/8 dec. vs New Zealand in 2005
Australia’s Lowest Total at the venue: 110/10 vs New Zealand in 1990

Basin Reserve Test Record

Total Matches Played: 67
Home Team (New Zealand) Won: 23
Visiting Team Won: 20
Neutral Side Won: 0
Draw: 24
Tied: 0

Average 1st Innings Score: 313
Matches Won Batting 1st: 14
Matches Won Batting 2nd: 29
Highest Team Total: 680/8 dec. by New Zealand vs India in 2014
Lowest Team Total: 42/10 by New Zealand vs Australia in 1946
Highest Run Chase: 277/3 by Pakistan vs New Zealand in 2003

Highest Individual Score: 302 by Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) vs India in 2014
Best Bowling Figures: 7/23 by Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) vs India in 1976
Most Runs: Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 1488 runs in 15 matches
Most Wickets: Chris Martin (New Zealand) – 60 wickets in 14 matches

Basin Reserve Stats of New Zealand Cricketers

• Kane Williamson – 1488 runs in 15 matches
• Tom Latham – 835 runs in 12 matches
• Tom Blundell – 298 runs in 5 matches
• Tim Southee – 292 runs and 59 wickets in 16 matches
• Devon Conway – 139 runs in 2 matches
• Daryl Mitchell – 126 runs in 3 matches
• Mitchell Santner – 90 runs and 3 wickets in 2 matches
• Neil Wagner – 45 wickets in 10 matches
• Matt Henry – 15 wickets in 4 matches
• Kyle Jamieson – 11 wickets in 2 matches

Basin Reserve Stats of Australia Cricketers

• Usman Khawaja – 140 runs in 1 match
• Steven Smith – 71 runs in 1 match
• Nathan Lyon – 7 wickets in 1 match
• Josh Hazlewood – 6 wickets in 1 match
• Mitchell Marsh – 3 wickets in 1 match

Most Test runs at Basin Reserve (Active Players)

1. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 1488 runs in 15 matches
2. Henry Nicholls (New Zealand) – 923 runs in 10 matches
3. Tom Latham (New Zealand) – 835 runs in 12 matches

Most Test wickets at Basin Reserve (Active Players)

1. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 59 wickets in 16 matches
2. Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 48 wickets in 11 matches
3. Neil Wagner (New Zealand) – 45 wickets in 10 matches