Cricket: Black Caps bowlers blitzed in warm up

Matt Henry and his fellow bowlers endured a tough day in Sydney. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's bowlers had a day to forget against a Cricket Australia XI in Sydney today.

Having lost the toss, the CA XI openers Ryan Carters and Aaron Finch batted through the entire day, finishing at 376 without loss.

Finch had been hoping to play for Victoria in their Sheffield Shield game against Queensland this week.

He was left out of the side and took it out on New Zealand, reaching his highest first-class score, 214 not out. New South Wales wicketkeeper Carters was on 156 at stumps.

New Zealand were handicapped by the early loss of test spearhead Tim Southee, who left unwell after bowling three overs at the start of the day and didn't return.

Nine bowlers were tried on an unforgiving Blacktown Sports Park pitch - the only ones not used were Ross Taylor and wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

Between them, Martin Guptill, captain Brendon McCullum and Tom Latham shared 12 overs to spread the load.

As a first test bowling warmup, it was forgettable. Then again, the conditions are completely alien to what New Zealand will find when they arrive in Brisbane on Sunday to prepare for the first test

''She's a good batting track and a flat wicket," seamer Matt Henry said.

''We didn't bowl badly, there wasn't much assistance from the deck, no real bounce or movement. But you've got to take your hat off to Finch and Carters. They batted well over a long period."

Test certainty Trent Boult is sitting the game out, and the two seamers vying for the third spot at the Gabba next week, Henry and Doug Bracewell, had good workouts, Bracewell significantly more economical.

Finch holds the world record for the highest T20 international innings, 156 off only 63 balls against England in 2013. Yesterday he was far less racy, batting 270 balls, six fewer than his partner, hitting 18 fours and five sixes.

There are no serious concerns over Southee.

''He felt under the weather so there was no point pushing him," Henry said.

New Zealand's batsmen will get their opportunity at some point today against a largely lightweight CA bowling attack.

The Australian side for the first test will be named tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, ticket sales for the third test in Adelaide, the first day-night test, are booming.

The test, starting on November 27, is shaping as a high point from a spectator perspective in what is being wisely rated as a lean home international summer, with New Zealand's three-test rubber followed by the lacklustre West Indians.

South Australian Cricket Association chief executive Keith Bradshaw, a strong pink ball proponent, is delighted by pre-match sales.

"We can say that ticket sales for the day-night test have been very strong. Pre-sales are matching the Ashes takeup," Bradshaw said.

"We expect some fantastic crowds at Adelaide Oval across the five days."