“[O’Rourke’s] in the squad and,depending on the pitch conditions and what they look like,it could be four seamers – and he’s definitely a chance of that.”

If Wagner is overlooked again,he should have a full tank for his high-octane approach ofpersistent short-pitched bowling in time for the Tests against Australia. The contest becomes even more intriguing given Smith’s new position as an opener.

Approaching 10,000 Test runs at an average of 58,there was criticism of Smith’s desire to open,particularly after two first-innings failures against the West Indies. But in the final Test innings of the summer he scored an unbeaten 91 to carry his bat asShamar Joseph ran through the Australians with a magnificent display of pace bowling.

“And now I think I’m averaging 60 as an opener,” Smith said following the series.

Wagner’s success against Smith came after the former captain’s majestic 2019 Ashes,when he scored 774 runs at an average of better than 110 in four matches.

However,he suffered a nasty blow to the side of the head from England quick Jofra Archer during the second Test and missed the third Test because of concussion.

Smith insisted the blow from Archer did not unsettle him against the short ball.

“I obviously got out a couple of times to Wagner but a couple of times in the second innings when I was trying to take him on when we were well in front of the game,” Smith said at the time.

“In the first innings,I think I averaged about 60 against New Zealand. Whilst I didn’t score big runs,I think the game is a team game and me being able to bat so long[is important].

“I think I got 40 off 190,60 off 180 and faced 240 balls at the MCG for 80. I faced a lot of short balls there.”

New Zealand’s preparation for the two Tests against Australia includes resting batsman Daryl Mitchell from the second Test against South Africa and the three Twenty20 matches against Australia which precede the Test series. Kane Williamson will also miss the T20 series because of the imminent birth of his third child.

Trent Boult,now a T20 gun for hire,is available for both the T20 and Test series,but having played no recent red-ball cricket it is unlikely he will be considered for the Tests.

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