New Zealand's only series win in Australia came in 1985. That began with a performance of bowling folklore - Sir Richard Hadlee's nine for 52 at the 'Gabba. The Channel Nine stump microphone soundtrack from that day is the New Zealand cricketing equivalent of Beethoven's ninth symphony.
This summer presents an opportune time to repeat that harmonious dose, even if it comes with an experimental pink ball in Adelaide.
When Australia's batting line-up disintegrated during the Ashes, it took little imagination to conjure up New Zealand coach Mike Hesson's data-laden work laptop hoovering up and filtering analysis of the dismissals footage and emailing it to the inboxes of his bowling spearheads.
The retirements of Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke mean the Australian top order will be rejigged around linchpins Steve Smith and David Warner on the opening morning on November 5 at the 'Gabba.
The fitness and accuracy of Boult and Southee form a key to New Zealand's hopes. Theirs is a chance to entrench their pedigree as the country's greatest new ball partnership.
If New Zealand can neutralise attempts at mental disintegration, as England did, Australia might be bereft of solutions. However, the 'Gabba is their equivalent to the All Blacks' success at Eden Park. No one in a Baggy Green cap has lost in Brisbane since the West Indies won in 1988, 27 tests ago. New Zealand have failed to break that fortress mentality seven times since 1985.
Still, as Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right". Naturally, Southee believes they can, justified by their last test against Australia at Hobart, which coincided with a victory in Boult's debut.
"This team's grown a lot in the last few years and ticked off some great achievements," Southee said. "But we're by no means finished. A series win in Australia would rate highly. One series win in our history shows the difficulty.
"I've played there [at the 'Gabba] twice and we've been beaten convincingly. They must have confidence turning up knowing how much success they have there. It tends to swing and have pace in the wicket.
"However, there are a number of us with fond memories of playing in Hobart. It's nice to know it can be done."
Therein lies the belief factor. That was Boult's sole appearance against Australia in a test and he's since cleaned up their order with 5-27 in World Cup pool play at Eden Park in February.
"I remember the morning of it," Boult said of his debut. "Dan [Vettori] was under an injury cloud and Wrighty [former coach John Wright] came up and said, 'you're in'. I was pretty fresh and naive, and my heart was racing. A lot has happened since.
"After the England series, I've been working on my body in the gym to get back into shape. I'm itching for these eight weeks to hurry up so I can get to the 'Gabba and get into it. There's not much more motivating in the game than a three-test series there."
Both are expected to participate in outdoor training camps at Mt Maunganui over the next fortnight where they will start adapting to bowling with the pink ball, which will debut in the day/night format of the third test against Australia at Adelaide, starting November 27.
