KEY POINTS:
New Zealand want to arrive in Australia in eight days with plans to win a test, rather than carefully scrutinising the How To Hang On manual of cricket theory.
The squad returned from Bangladesh yesterday for a short break, much of which will be taken up with promotional
activities, and, in captain Daniel Vettori's case, getting to grips with what will be required this month to succeed in the toughest cricketing environment.
The sub-continent presents its particular challenges but for being put through a cricket wringer, nothing has matched scrapping with the Aussies in their back yard for the last 20 years.
After winning their ODI series 2-1, and test series 1-0 - the one-day loss and test draw being the only times Bangladesh have avoided defeat against New Zealand - minds turn to Australia with Vettori delighted his less experienced players have had a chance to get some cricket.
The likes of this year's batting newcomers, Daniel Flynn, Jesse Ryder and Aaron Redmond, all had at least one worthwhile test score but just as importantly they've got some hard yards into them at the start of the international season.
"They experienced different situations that crop up in tests," Vettori said. "It's so much better than if we turned up in Australia on the back of six weeks with no cricket.
"It's going to be completely different but the guys will feel more confident after standing in the park for 90 overs, or guys like Redmond and Jesse batting a day.
"It will make a massive difference to their psyche leading into the Australia series."
The New Zealand squad, due to be named early next week, will fly to Sydney next Sunday. Vettori is keen to ensure a positive state of mind.
Australia might arrive home from India on the back of a test series belting. The best they can hope for midway through the third test is to square the four-match rubber.
They will want to bounce back and may view New Zealand as ideal opponents; equally New Zealand want to be ready to take advantage if their hosts are down in the dumps post-India.
"Too many teams go to Australia and think about survival, that if you get through three days hopefully you're in a position to force a draw," Vettori said. "Winning is not about wandering out and saying 'we have to win this test and we're going to beat them with this game'.
"It's about giving ourselves an opportunity and we want to make sure we're selecting the right teams that give us that opportunity."
The test venues of Brisbane - traditionally seam-friendly with some bounce - and Adelaide - flat and good for batting - present distinct challenges, Vettori said.
Picking a squad of 15 who will offer the best chances for success in two different environments is crucial.
Vettori's own stock is sky high. In Bangladesh, he was player of the match in both tests and man of the series, with 14 wickets at 14 apiece.
He also topped the batting averages with 76.5. The player rated the world's No 2 test allrounder behind South African Jacques Kallis acknowledged the importance of him starting the season on the front foot.
"The best captains in the world are the ones who lead with performance, the Pontings, Jayawardenes and Smiths always seem to be at the forefront of a victory, or a fighting draw," he said.
"It's so much easier to captain a side from a position of performance strength than it is trying to captain from having had four or five zeroes.
"It's amazing how many guys listen to you, so if I can keep that as a constant then captaining becomes a lot easier than trying to make it up through tactical nous, or inspirational speeches," he quipped.
