Mark Richardson: Aussie series vital for us

Chris Martin. Photo / Getty Images

I don't see a major problem in a drawn-out and hard-fought result against Zimbabwe for the Black Caps. If they'd cantered to an easy win in four days, and many would expect no less against the minnow of all minnows, I don't believe it would have done our cricketers that much good ahead of the tour of Australia.

It's been 10 months since our guys played hard test cricket and so a good five days will surely benefit them as they search to find the tempo at that level.

That said, Zimbabwe is hardly ideal preparation for Australia in Australia so they are lucky they will get valuable cricket in the form of a three-day game against a New South Wales selection and a four-day game against Australia A before they hit Australia at The Gabba.

The Black Caps need to use this three-game run-in well because this Australian series is vital for the game in this country. I don't believe New Zealand's T20 or ODI results will raise the standing of our team in the cricket world alone and this current team has done little favours for our standing in world cricket.

Our cricket team is not enjoying a particularly high level of respect in New Zealand either. As individuals, some have turned in notable performances but as a team little has been achieved.

New Zealand in Australia, however, always stimulates interest. Games always rate well on Sky Sport and for New Zealanders a tour of Australia is still viewed very much as the proving grounds. Australia are not held in the same awe as they once were but it is still a team of abundant quality and has a hard edge to it. Performances against Australia will rate highly with the armchair critic.

An admirable performance in the two-test series in Australia may not immediately raise the international profile of New Zealand cricket but it will do a world of good. It will set the summer off in the right direction and inject some badly needed respect into our summer game.

The big and badly needed pay day for New Zealand Cricket comes later in the summer when South Africa tour and the Black Caps need to build interest and anticipation for that.

A poor showing in Australia followed by the rather underwhelming prospect of Zimbabwe in New Zealand will flatten the feeling for cricket even before we hit the real part of the summer.

The good news is I feel relatively confident about this Australian tour. I'm excited about the batting because there is some experience and quality there that will be keen to prove a point in Australia - and that mentality often brings the best out in our key batsmen.

I'm still concerned about the lack of penetration in the bowling but the ball does swing in Australia which will help Tim Southee, Chris Martin and Doug Bracewell no end.