Cricket: Testing start to Australian tour for Black Caps

Black Caps fast bowler Tim Southee. Photo / Getty

If New Zealand thought they might get a soft landing in Australia, they'll be thinking again after sighting teams to face them in Canberra over three days this week.

Australia's selectors have taken the chance to get several first test candidates out in the middle against New Zealand, for either the Prime Minister's XI in the pink ball day-nighter at Manuka Oval on Friday, or the Cricket Australia XI two-day on Saturday and Sunday.

Forget the likes of veteran brothers Mike and David Hussey, who are lining up in the one-day game; there are a cluster of players who are young and ambitious to be in the first test squad for the opening match at in Brisbane, starting on November 5.

Top order batsmen Cameron Bancroft, reputed to be more an old school opener, who happily bats time, Joe Burns, Shaun Marsh - 32 and with 15 tests behind him but still to fully grab his chance - and Usman Khawaja have much to play for.

Veteran batsman Adam Voges and seamer Peter Siddle are out to retain their places from the final test of the Ashes defeat, while Doncaster-born Western Australian wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman is the latest trying to join the hunt for the spot vacated by the retired Brad Haddin.

New Zealand flew out to Australia today for a three-test series to whet the appetite of the fans and for all their encouraging form in the last couple of years, senior bowler Tim Southee is preaching a down to earth philosophy, while acknowledging it shapes as a strong chance for New Zealand to win a series across the Tasman for the first time since 1985.

Australia have had a raft of changes force on them by post-Ashes retirements, notably in the batting department.

"Yeah, but we've also got to keep our feet on the ground and not get too far ahead of ourselves," Southee said.

"They're not going to lie down and will be hurting from what happened in England (where the hosts won the Ashes this year). It's a chance for their players to stake claims for the years to come.

"It's definitely not going to be easy but there will be some fresh faces there.

Southee hopes New Zealand have earned a modicum of respect for their recent record. They have not lost a test series in the last seven - which have produced four series wins and three draws.

That said, it's long been accepted that Australia grants respect to players who performed, not only against them, but specifically in their back yard.

"I guess we've earned a little more respect with the way we've played cricket in the last couple of years. I think we can take a little bit of credit for that."

The last time New Zealand were in Australia they split a two-test series, well beaten in Brisbane then pulling off a thrilling seven-run win in Hobart.

"We had a little taste of victory in Hobart and a lot of the guys will have fond memories. It's crossed everyone's mind what will happen (if New Zealand win this series) but a strength of this side is it takes each day as it comes."

And Southee ruled out a significant change to the way New Zealand will look to play their cricket - that is, being assertive and pressing hard will remain the modus operandi.

"We've found a formula that works for this team and the personnel in the side. I don't think we need to change what we're doing seems to be putting results on the board.

There's still unfinished business for this side and this (represents) a step in that direction."

A mix of results on the test fields around the world mean New Zealand have dropped to six on the International Cricket Council rankings, which doesn't make much sense considering they're unbeaten in a series in 30 months. Australia sit second, behind South Africa, and only seven points ahead of New Zealand.

Australian Prime Minister's XI to play New Zealand, Canberra Friday: Mike Hussey (c), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja Adam Voges, David Hussey, Ryan Carters, Ashton Agar, Peter Siddle, Jason Behrendorff, Mark Steketee.

Cricket Australia XI to play New Zealand, Canberra, Saturday and Sunday: Khawaja (c), Bancroft, Burns, Shaun Marsh, Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Sam Whiteman, Agar, Siddle, Behrendorff, Billy Stanlake.