KEY POINTS:
The Black Caps have come from a disastrous tour of South Africa and head straight into an even harder task of defending the Chappell-Hadlee trophy against Australia, starting next week.
Herald reporter David Leggat looks at five things the Black Caps must do to have a chance
against the world champions.
1: CONTAIN THE BIG FOUR
Aka, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey.
If this lot fill their boots New Zealand have got problems.
Only four, you say? Well neither Michael Clarke nor Andrew Symonds have put up consistently big numbers. Clarke's yet to get a century against New Zealand; Symonds boasts a relatively modest average of 38.
Hayden's last two innings against New Zealand produced 181 not out at Hamilton - when he still finished up on the losing side - and 103 in Grenada. He averages 55.09 against New Zealand in 26 games, 11 runs more than his overall ODI average.
He adopts the bully approach. Picture him sitting at a table, knife and fork clenched in his meaty paws, plate clean as a whistle, roaring "bring me more Kiwis!"
Gilchrist? True he's got to 30 just once in his last nine innings against New Zealand. Two hundreds and seven fifties in 41 ODIs is a poor return by his lofty standards. So, he's due.
Ponting goes at 47.34 against New Zealand in 37 ODIs. His last 10 transtasman ODI innings read: 141 not out, 63, 28, 75, 58, 10, 5, 111, 104 and 66 - average 73. And remember he wasn't about when Australia were down-trou'd during the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy here last season. He'll remember that.
And the captain on that (for the Aussies) ill-fated mission last summer, Mike Hussey? Oh yes, averages 80.14 in 16 ODIs, admittedly bolstered by eight asterisks. Think he'll be hurting by events last summer?
2: PUT THE HEAT ON THEIR BOWLERS
New Zealand should take a look at the Australian squad. They'll find these names missing: G. D. McGrath and S. K. Warne. Their replacements are not pickles, but they're not McGrath and Warne either.
When Australia came here last summer, they brought a bloke called Cameron White. He was talked of approvingly in Australian circles as, gasp, a possible future captain. Apparently he bowls leg spinners.
He'd struggle to bowl a hoop down hill on last season's evidence and was treated accordingly.
Ditto the likes of Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg.
New Zealand succeeded by treating the bowling on its merits. A half volley looks the same on Cornwall Park or the Sydney Cricket Ground.
That's why they overhauled Australian totals in the 340s. Twice. Be bold, but smart. Cower and they're dead.
3: SORT OUT THE FIELDING
At times in South Africa, and elsewhere, it's been awful. There are certain players - Ross Taylor hurtles to mind - who, when you see them getting into position under a high ball, you look away.
Things will be hard enough as it is without offering up second or third innings to the Australian hotshots.
4: BE MORE CONFIDENT
Easier said than done, but there's no point rolling out expecting to get trampled.
The overall numbers have Australia well ahead. New Zealand have won 16 and lost 34 ODIs to Australia in Australia since 1980-81. The wins are long remembered; the losses tend to slip from the memory rather quicker.
But at times like this you grasp anything you can, so consider the Chappell-Hadlee stats: Played eight, New Zealand 5 wins, Australia 3 wins.
5: GET THE BEST OUT OF KEY PLAYERS
New Zealand cricket has long worked on the finest collective traditions: if everyone pitches in and does their bit all sorts of things can be achieved.
That's fine but you also need big individual performances.
Scott Styris is now the senior batsman. He's got the ability, as most recently shown during the World Cup when he averaged a rousing 83. But an average of 17 in 25 ODIs against the Aussies is not good enough.
Jacob Oram's muscular approach will be required, plus his bowling. Australia have felt the heat of his bat before, and need to cop it again.
Brendon McCullum is a bracing, spirited cricketer. Taking up the challenge is the least of his problems. He needs to play a big hand.
Kyle Mills must build on his fine work in South Africa, especially with no Shane Bond to offer a genuine speed threat.
And then there's Daniel Vettori. He's spoken of the confidence denting experience of captaincy in South Africa when things were in freefall during the test series.
This will be a searching test of his leadership, not to mention his bowling. If the Aussies get a chance to put the boot into the new leader, they'll be queuing up.
