New Zealand tour on Australia Ponting won the toss and batted as Australia try to regain the top spot from South Africa during the five-game Chappell-Hadlee Series. Australia lost 4-1 to South Africa after a defeat at the WACA on Friday but have an immediate chance to repair the damage against New Zealand.
If they win they will grab back the No. 1 ranking they lost two days ago, but New Zealand, the No. 4 outfit, have been boosted by Brendon McCullum taking the gloves. McCullum has recovered from a hip problem, which restricted his wicketkeeping, and will have two spinners to deal with.
Daniel Vettori, the captain, will have support from Jeetan Patel on a surface that usually assists the fast men. "Over the last few years it seems a good place for spinners," Vettori said.
