Conway faces health check however Ravindra is true to play first Australia Test

“We’re still investigating Devon’s thumb at the moment,” Stead mentioned. “He’s seeing a number of specialists at the moment. You won’t see him at training today. But we are hoping that we can make a call tomorrow morning around where that sits. He’s had a bat in his hand a few times. It’s not comfortable at the moment. But, as I said, we’re still investigating exactly what’s going on in the thumb. We’ve had a number of different specialists look at it.”

Stead confirmed that he would wish to see Conway hit some balls within the nets earlier than clearing him to play.

“He’s going to get more scans later today and more expertise on it,” Stead mentioned. “We obviously want Devon to play. He’s a key person I think in our batting order. His record speaks for itself. So we want to give him every chance of being available.”

Mitchell will return to his spot at No. 5, that means Will Young will possible make method except Conway is dominated out, by which case he’ll open the batting alongside Tom Latham.

“I think in hindsight, we probably got that wrong the way that the pitch did behave,” Stead mentioned. “We’ve certainly got Mitch Santner here as that option and we’ll certainly consider him as well.”

Skipper Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke look more likely to be the trio of quicks with Scott Kuggeleijn the one different fast-bowling choice within the squad. The pitch had a sometimes inexperienced look to it two days out from the primary Test however those that have been to the center mentioned it appears excellent and agency beneath regardless of the masking of reside inexperienced grass.

New Zealand haven’t crushed Australia in a Test at residence since 1993 and haven’t crushed them anyplace since 2011, however Stead mentioned the sequence represents a chance to enhance their document in opposition to their neighbours.

“We don’t play Australia that often, which is strange considering that they’re just across the Tasman there,” Stead mentioned. “But, look, they always set the benchmark and are current world Test champions and they are that for a reason. They’re a very good side. But that’s our opportunity. And that’s for us to go out and I guess show our wares and we’re certainly looking forward to the challenge that is ahead.”