Cricket: Black Caps bullish ahead of return series

Tim Southee and Brendon McCullum celebrate against Australia. Photo / Getty

Forget the outcome of this test series; New Zealand are confident they can turn the tables on Australia at home in February.

Their optimism is based on two central planks: the firm belief there's little between the two teams, despite the 2-0 series scoreline for Australia; and the advantage of home conditions.

New Zealand had their unbeaten series record ended at seven with the three-wicket loss in Adelaide on Sunday night.

But there is no change in the sense of what can be achieved against an Australian side which remains a work in progress and a far cry from their halcyon years in the 2000s.

''We are tough to beat in our own conditions," coach Mike Hesson said.

''We have been for a long time. Australia certainly realise they were in a fight in the last couple of test matches and I'm sure they'll want to get their best team on the park, as do we."

Captain Brendon McCullum is also in a bullish mood at what lies ahead.

He wasn't in his best touch in Australia. The return series is shaping as his finale in test cricket.

The first match in Wellington will be his 100th test - assuming he plays both the Sri Lankan tests, which start in Dunedin next week - and Christchurch a week later looks like his last test, barring a change in heart.

McCullum is resolute in his conviction on the capabilities of the New Zealand team.

''By the time Australia arrive on our shores, after a pretty intense summer (hosting Sri Lanka and Pakistan), we'll be nearing our peak as a team. In our conditions it should be an interesting and enthralling series," he said.

McCullum added cheekily that ''if we can win both of those, then we have a 2-2 draw over five tests and our unbeaten run continues".

It doesn't quite work that way. But New Zealand know they missed a fine chance at Adelaide, although winning the series went by the board after a poor opener in Brisbane, then playing on a batting highway in Perth where a win for either side was always unlikely.

McCullum is a fan of the tough assignments. With due respect to the Bangladeshs and West Indies of the test world, he knows his team get judged by how they perform against the crack outfits.

Australia may not be that yet, but they're a decent side who rose to the challenge.

''You want to play the best. It's what this game is all about. It teaches you so much about yourself and the character in your team.

''After what we've seen in the last two tests it's closer to what we want to be as a team."

New Zealand have won just five of 24 tests against the Aussies at home. The last victory was at Eden Park in 1993, John Wright's final test.

But with top ranked batsmen in Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, class fast-medium bowlers in Trent Boult and Tim Southee, New Zealand have the players to take the challenge to Australia.

Take out the stellar performers, opener David Warner, captain Steve Smith, offspinner Nathan Lyon and seamers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and Australia have holes that can be exploited.

It's about whether New Zealand can put sufficient pressure on those weaker areas and grab their opportunities.

-By David Leggat in Adelaide