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Brisbane: Australia will take an inexperienced side into the first Test of the summer against New Zealand starting at The Gabba on Thursday.
Four uncapped players - Ben Cutting, James Pattinson, David Warner and Mitchell Starc - have been included in the 12 to face the Kiwis, with injuries to Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, Ryan Harris, Pat Cummins and Shaun Marsh forcing the hand of selectors.
Warner is likely to be drafted into the starting XI as a direct replacement at the top of the order for Watson, while Cutting, Pattinson and Starc will battle it out with Victorian Peter Siddle and spinner Nathan Lyon for four bowling spots.
New Zealand have played Australia 50 times for just seven wins, but captain Ross Taylor is confident the Black Caps can improve on that record.
"We definitely feel we can beat this Australian team," he said.
"We know they will come hard at us, we know they will try to attack us and play an aggressive style of game. We are trying to get an aggressive attitude as much as possible in our team, regardless of who we are playing against, and show as much fighting spirit and pride in playing for New Zealand as possible," he added.
Much of that responsibility rests on Taylor's shoulders, with former skipper and world-class spinner Daniel Vettori along with explosive opening batsman Brendon McCullum also pivotal to the Kiwis' success or otherwise.
Rookie top-order batsman Kane Williamson also shows great promise, although the 'next Martin Crowe' sounds a tad presumptuous at this stage of his fledgling career.
The batting will have to be good because there is not much in the New Zealand attack - Vettori aside - to worry the home side.
New Zealand's away record in general does not inspire confidence, especially when they cross the Tasman.
In Australia they have won just two Tests in 26 - those twin successes coming way back in 1985/86 on the back of heroic performances from Crowe and Richard Hadlee.
While history favours an Australian victory, the form of New Zealand has been promising of late.
New Zealand looked good in their draw with Australia A, with Jesse Ryder, McCullum and Taylor both getting among the runs, while Doug Bracewell shone with the ball after also getting first-innings runs.
New Zealand are likely to make just one change from the side that played in the tour match, with Daniel Vettori set to come in for Trent Boult.
Likewise, Australia should be high on confidence after their two-wicket victory away from home in South Africa, with veterans Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin prominent in a thrilling fourth-innings run chase.
There is always plenty on the line when Australia tackles New Zealand in any sport and this two-match series against the Kiwis promises to deliver plenty of exciting cricket.
Teams from
Australia David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Ben Cutting.
New Zealand Ross Taylor (capt), Martin Guptill, Reece Young (wk), 4.Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, BJ Watling, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Dean Brownlie, Chris Martin.
Pitch and conditions
There is always plenty of seam and bounce at the Gabba, and captains can be tempted to send the opposition in. The forecast is for thunder and rain on the opening day, while showers could also fall on the final two days.
Stats & trivia
Match facts
December 1-5, 2011
Start time 1000 local (0000 GMT, 1100 EDT)
