New Zealand's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/slvsnz-trent-boult-tim-southee-rattle-sri-lanka-in-rain-hit-test-245147">Trent Boult</a> remains a doubt for the first Test against Australia due to a side injury but captain Kane Williamson says he will give the pace spearhead every chance to prove his fitness before the match begins in Perth on Thursday.

The tourists are sweating on the fitness of their ace quick with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-open-to-pink-ball-test-in-australia-with-proper-planning-264249">pink ball</a> used in the inaugural day-nighter at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-class-perth-stadium-gets-icc-green-light-29196https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-class-perth-stadium-gets-icc-green-light-29196">Perth Stadium</a> set to suit Boult’s penchant for swing.

Williamson said the team’s training session late on Wednesday would likely determine the availability of Boult, who had managed to get through training on Tuesday.

"We’re going to have another look at (Boult) today before deciding anything tomorrow,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“I think you look at it as a long-term decision in terms of this whole series. He has tracked really nicely and felt really good yesterday.”

Williamson was more confident in the injury status of veteran batsman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ross-taylor-fit-to-play-in-first-test-against-england-kane-williamson-36590">Ross Taylor</a> (thumb) and all-rounder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/de-grandhomme-seals-black-caps-win-over-pakistan-29742">Colin de Grandhomme</a> (abdominal muscle).

“Ross is fine, just a bit of a knock but nothing major. Colin is tracking nicely,” he said.

Uncapped fast bowler Lockie Ferguson could make his test debut on an expected fast, bouncy Perth pitch, which is expected to deteriorate with fierce heat forecast for most of the match.

“It’s exciting we’ve got Lockie in our squad to consider him,” Williamson said. “It’s exciting to have a guy in our camp who can bowl at that speed.”

Both teams are to wear black armbands as a tribute to the victims of New Zealand’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/100-people-near-new-zealand-volcano-when-it-erupted-pm-jacinda-ardern-267054">White Island volcano</a> eruption and Williamson said the news had been a shock.

"It’s very hard to comprehend. When a tragedy like this happens it’s such a shock,” he added.

New Zealand's Trent Boult remains a doubt for the first Test against Australia due to a side injury but captain Kane Williamson says he will give the pace spearhead every chance to prove his fitness before the match begins in Perth on Thursday.

New Zealand's Trent Boult remains a doubt for the first Test against Australia due to a side injury but captain Kane Williamson says he will give the pace spearhead every chance to prove his fitness before the match begins in Perth on Thursday. The tourists are sweating on the fitness of their ace quick with the pink ball used in the inaugural day-nighter at Perth Stadium set to suit Boult’s penchant for swing. Williamson said the team’s training session late on Wednesday would likely determine the availability of Boult, who had managed to get through training on Tuesday. "We’re going to have another look at (Boult) today before deciding anything tomorrow,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I think you look at it as a long-term decision in terms of this whole series. He has tracked really nicely and felt really good yesterday.” Williamson was more confident in the injury status of veteran batsman Ross Taylor (thumb) and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme (abdominal muscle). “Ross is fine, just a bit of a knock but nothing major. Colin is tracking nicely,” he said. Uncapped fast bowler Lockie Ferguson could make his test debut on an expected fast, bouncy Perth pitch, which is expected to deteriorate with fierce heat forecast for most of the match. “It’s exciting we’ve got Lockie in our squad to consider him,” Williamson said. “It’s exciting to have a guy in our camp who can bowl at that speed.” Both teams are to wear black armbands as a tribute to the victims of New Zealand’s White Island volcano eruption and Williamson said the news had been a shock. "It’s very hard to comprehend. When a tragedy like this happens it’s such a shock,” he added.

Cricket: New Zealand spearhead Boult a doubt for first Test

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-zealands-trent-boult-takes-world-cup-hat-trick-against-australia-231583">Trent Boult became the first New Zealand bowler to claim a hat-trick</a> in the World Cup but it could not stop champions Australia still cruising to an 86-run victory in Saturday's rematch of the 2015 final between the trans-Tasman rivals at Lord's.

Boult dismissed Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff in successive deliveries but Australia, who had been reeling at 92-5 in the 22nd over, managed to post a competitive 243-9 after electing to bat.

It turned out that each of Boult's three hat-trick victims played significant part in Australia's victory.

Khawaja (88), who was dropped at slip before he could open his account, and Alex Carey (71) had combined to arrest their slide before Bolt (4-51) wrecked their lower order.

Behrendorff then dealt early blows before Starc spearheaded New Zealand's rout, claiming 5-26 as the Kiwis were shot out for 157 in the 44th over with not one of their players managing a half-century.

Australia, who had already secured a place in the semi-finals, remain on top with 14 points from eight matches, three points ahead of India who have played six.

New Zealand remain third with 11 points from eight matches.

Earlier, Aaron Finch's decision to bat first appeared to backfire as Boult dismissed the in-form Australia captain in the fifth over.

The champions lost four more wickets before reaching 100 but it could easily have been worse if Martin Guptill had not spilled Khawaja in the slips when the batsman was yet to open his account.

Carey and Khawaja then rebuilt the Australian innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 107, which Kane Williamson broke when he had Carey caught at cover.

Boult claimed the tournament's second hat-trick, after India's Mohammed Shami achieved the feat against Afghanistan, but Australia put enough on board for their bowlers.

The Australians bowled with lot of purpose and Behrendorff denied New Zealand a strong start, dismissing both the openers, Henry Nicholls and Guptill, cheaply.

Key batsman Williamson and Ross Taylor (30) tried to steady the innings but the wheels came off their innings after the Kiwi captain's attempt to play his trademark dab shot resulted in his dismissal for 40.

Starc then mowed down the New Zealand lower order to consolidate his position as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 victims.

Trent Boult became the first New Zealand bowler to claim a hat-trick in the World Cup but it could not stop champions Australia still cruising to an 86-run victory in Saturday's rematch of the 2015 final between the trans-Tasman rivals at Lord's.

Trent Boult became the first New Zealand bowler to claim a hat-trick in the World Cup but it could not stop champions Australia still cruising to an 86-run victory in Saturday's rematch of the 2015 final between the trans-Tasman rivals at Lord's. Boult dismissed Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff in successive deliveries but Australia, who had been reeling at 92-5 in the 22nd over, managed to post a competitive 243-9 after electing to bat. It turned out that each of Boult's three hat-trick victims played significant part in Australia's victory. Khawaja (88), who was dropped at slip before he could open his account, and Alex Carey (71) had combined to arrest their slide before Bolt (4-51) wrecked their lower order. Behrendorff then dealt early blows before Starc spearheaded New Zealand's rout, claiming 5-26 as the Kiwis were shot out for 157 in the 44th over with not one of their players managing a half-century. Australia, who had already secured a place in the semi-finals, remain on top with 14 points from eight matches, three points ahead of India who have played six. New Zealand remain third with 11 points from eight matches. Earlier, Aaron Finch's decision to bat first appeared to backfire as Boult dismissed the in-form Australia captain in the fifth over. The champions lost four more wickets before reaching 100 but it could easily have been worse if Martin Guptill had not spilled Khawaja in the slips when the batsman was yet to open his account. Carey and Khawaja then rebuilt the Australian innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 107, which Kane Williamson broke when he had Carey caught at cover. Boult claimed the tournament's second hat-trick, after India's Mohammed Shami achieved the feat against Afghanistan, but Australia put enough on board for their bowlers. The Australians bowled with lot of purpose and Behrendorff denied New Zealand a strong start, dismissing both the openers, Henry Nicholls and Guptill, cheaply. Key batsman Williamson and Ross Taylor (30) tried to steady the innings but the wheels came off their innings after the Kiwi captain's attempt to play his trademark dab shot resulted in his dismissal for 40. Starc then mowed down the New Zealand lower order to consolidate his position as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 victims.

World Cup: Mitchell Starc five-for trumps Boult hat-trick as Australia beat New Zealand

New Zealand paceman Trent Boult took a hat-trick against Australia in a World Cup match at Lord's on Saturday.

The left-arm quick struck in the last over of Australia's innings, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a top-score of 88 before he bowled tailender Mitchell Starc and then had Jason Behrendorff lbw, despite the batsman's review.

It was the first hat-trick by a New Zealander at a World Cup and the second of the tournament after India paceman Mohammed Shami achieved the feat against Afghanistan.

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Before Trent Boult's hat-trick, Usman Khawaja led Australia's recovery with a resilient 88. 
 
He walked off to a deserved standing ovation <a href="https://twitter.com/HomeOfCricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HomeOfCricket</a> 👏 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/ATx99EyPUE">pic.twitter.com/ATx99EyPUE</a>
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Nathan Lyon then survived the last ball of the innings, with Australia finishing on 243-9.

New Zealand paceman Trent Boult took a hat-trick against Australia in a World Cup match at Lord's on Saturday. The left-arm quick struck in the last over of Australia's innings, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a top-score of 88 before he bowled tailender Mitchell Starc and then had Jason Behrendorff lbw, despite the batsman's review.

New Zealand paceman Trent Boult took a hat-trick against Australia in a World Cup match at Lord's on Saturday. The left-arm quick struck in the last over of Australia's innings, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a top-score of 88 before he bowled tailender Mitchell Starc and then had Jason Behrendorff lbw, despite the batsman's review. It was the first hat-trick by a New Zealander at a World Cup and the second of the tournament after India paceman Mohammed Shami achieved the feat against Afghanistan. Before Trent Boult's hat-trick, Usman Khawaja led Australia's recovery with a resilient 88. He walked off to a deserved standing ovation @HomeOfCricket 👏 👏 #CWC19 | #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/ATx99EyPUE — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 29, 2019 × Nathan Lyon then survived the last ball of the innings, with Australia finishing on 243-9.

New Zealand's Trent Boult takes World Cup hat-trick against Australia