Black Caps laugh off Clarke’s talk of victory despite injuries to squad

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Brisbane, Nov.30: Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke’s unequivocal declaration that Australia will win the first Test against New Zealand if it plays to its potential, has left Black Caps coach John Wright laughing.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying: “As long as we prepare as well as we can and play as well as we can throughout those five days, I don’t see any reason why we won’t have success.”

“New Zealand are always a tough team to beat – don’t get me wrong – but if we’re at our best, with this squad, we’ll beat them,” he added.

Wright, in response, said his team was similarly confident about its ability when all of its players play to their potential.

“Not particularly [irked] – we’d say the same thing,” he said.

Australia enters the match with the formidable record of not having lost in Brisbane since 1988, against the West Indies, winning 16 of a possible 22 Tests since then.

The Black Caps’ solitary victory came in 1985, with a team Wright was a part of.ustralia batsman Mike Hussey cited the Gabba’s “bouncy” conditions as a major factor behind the team’s “proud record” there, on the basis visiting teams accustomed to more docile pitches are made to adjust immediately. (ANI)