Boult Debut, Vettori Out, Australia to Bowl

Hobart: Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to field on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand at Bellerive Oval on Friday.

It was only Clarke's second toss win in eight Tests and it could prove pivotal on the green bowler-friendly pitch, which threatens to make life difficult for the Kiwi team batting first under cloudy skies.

Australia lead the two-Test series after a thumping nine-wicket victory at the Gabba in Brisbane last weekend and Clarke has named an unchanged eleven.

The heat will be on the Kiwis again after they were humiliated on Sunday's fourth day of the Gabba Test, routed for 150 and setting the Australians just 19 runs to cruise to victory.

Australia have not lost any of the nine Tests played at Hobart's Bellerive Oval, although the Kiwis have drawn twice in their three Tests at the ground.

New Zealand will be without their former skipper and experienced spinner Daniel Vettori, who has a groin strain and has been replaced by left-arm seamer Trent Boult, making his international debut.

The Black Caps have only ever won two Tests in Australia, both in 1985, on their way to a series win.

The match began in fine conditions but rain and storms were predicted for later in the day.

Teams:

Australia: David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor (capt), Jesse Ryder, Dean Brownlie, Reece Young, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Chris Martin, Trent Boult

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Bracewell Delivers Extraordinary Victory for Kiwis [+]

David Warner's 123* went in vain as Doug Bracewell's 6/40 took New Zealand to a thrilling seven-run victory over Australia on Day 4 of the second Test in Hobart.

New Zealand Ahead After Australia Bowled Out on 136 [+]

The second Vodafone Test is delicately poised at stumps on Day 2 with New Zealand holding a 153 lead over a misfiring Australian outfit, finishing at 3-139.

New Zealand's Vettori Out for Month [+]

All-rounder Daniel Vettori will be out for up to a month with a hamstring injury, New Zealand Cricket said on Saturday.

Pattinson Five Make Aussies Day [+]

Persistent rain has put a dampener on the first day's play between Australia and New Zealand at Hobart's Blundstone Arena on Friday.

Boult Debut, Vettori Out, Australia to Bowl [+]

Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to field on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand at Bellerive Oval.

Australia Confident as Lively Pitch Beckons [+]

Australian captain Michael Clarke said he could be tempted to bowl first if he wins the toss on a Bellerive greentop in the second Test against New Zealand.

Christian Replaced Cutting in 2nd Test Against New Zealand [+]

Australia are likely to start the second Test against New Zealand unchanged after all rounder Dan Christian was added to the squad in place of injured 12th man Ben Cutting on Monday.

Pattinson Star in Aussies' Nine Wicket Win [+]

Debutant paceman James Pattinson ripped through New Zealand's top order to fire Australia to an emphatic 9-wicket victory on Day 4 of the first Test.

Clarke's Ton Helps Aussies to 132-run Lead [+]

Michael Clarke posted his first century as Test captain on home soil and guiding Australia to a 132-run first-innings lead on Day 3 against New Zealand.

Ponting Steers Australia With Fifty [+]

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke have driven Australia to 3-154, 141 runs short of New Zealand's first innings total, when bad light stopped play midway through the final session on the second day at the Gabba.