Cricket: Aussies have eyes on 400

James Faulkner says there is no reason a side can reach 350-400 during the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. Photo / Getty

The Australian cricketers predict the 400 barrier can be broken as batsmen take advantage of the shorter boundaries in New Zealand during this month's ODI series.

Australia is also being portrayed as vulnerable, with New Zealand well placed to end their run of seven consecutive ODI series victories according to one Aussie cricket writer.

Australian all-rounder James Faulkner said: "Yeah there's no reason why teams can't get 350 or 400...a lot of it just comes down to conditions."

Australia's highest total in New Zealand is 349, scored in Christchurch in 2000. A brilliant Craig McMillan century, backed up by big hitting from Brendon McCullum, took New Zealand to 350 against Australia in Hamilton nine years ago.

Faulkner said: "Every team at the moment is setting up to go hard in the first 10, consolidate through the middle and try and have wickets in the shed to try and launch.

Especially with the smaller boundaries I think if you find the ball isn't moving there will be high scores.

"But if it is it's obviously a lot tougher for the opening batsmen to adjust. More times than not at the moment 300 tends to be the base and every run over that is so valuable because every single batter in most teams can bat these days so it makes it really tough for the bowlers."

Faulkner, who will likely operate at the death for Australia, believes bowlers can concede 10-12 runs an over late in the innings even if they are bowling well.

Meanwhile fast bowler Kane Richardson said: "I've heard plenty about the [Eden Park] straight boundaries. Worldwide one-day cricket is high scoring, that's the way it is."

Sydney Morning Herald sports writer Andrew Wu believed swing was the only factor that could keep the scoring down.

"Australia's run of seven consecutive ODI series victories is under great peril against a Black Caps side desperate to send off McCullum in style in front of what is expected to be three raucous home crowds," Wu wrote.

"The Black Caps have certainly caught Steve Smith's team at a vulnerable point. Australia have dropped four consecutive games in the past 10 days and the confidence of their bowlers will be shaky after a horror Twenty20 series in which they conceded 572 runs at more than 9.5 an over."