David Leggat: With NZ such a treat to watch, we should tackle the Australians

New Zealand Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum in action during his double century against India, during the 1st Test Match between New Zealand and India.

A cricket wish list for the new year? How about a test series against Australia.

Actually it'll happen late next year, but right now you'd fancy New Zealand's chances of - at the very least - being seriously competitive with their neighbours.

Such is New Zealand's confidence and the quality of their cricket that they are a treat to watch.

You could not always have said "bring on the Aussies" with any confidence. There have been times when that tour would bring on a feeling of dread at what might happen to New Zealand, particularly across the Tasman. Not now. In Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor there is a 3-4-5 middle order punch to match any team.

New-ball pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee would compare favourably with the best around the game.

Sure, there are areas that need improvement, one opening position for a start, and the No 6 position remains a work in progress, although Jimmy Neesham and the injured Corey Anderson are offering encouragement.

Offspinner Mark Craig has had a terrific start to his career - 25 wickets in six tests - but he's still finding his feet in the test game.

Take the mind back a couple of years. Remember 45 all out at Cape Town at the start of Mike Hesson and McCullum's reign. Grim times.

Now it seems just a bad memory.

This is written with four days to play in Christchurch's first test in eight years. Much could change in those days, but you'd doubt it.

There is a resolute self belief in this New Zealand team which has grown from the time the West Indies were beaten at home a year ago.

They'll still lose tests. This isn't some cricketing wonderland where nothing will go wrong.

But it is a time to savour New Zealand's achievements this year.

Think back to India's tour here and McCullum's double century at Eden Park to help cement a thrilling win; then his triple century - an NZ first - to save the second test in Wellington.

Then a 2-1 series win in the Caribbean and a stunning, barely believable victory over Pakistan in Sharjah, in an atmosphere unlike just about any that could be imagined in the wake of Phillip Hughes' death.

Yesterday, a packed Hagley Oval got a glimpse of what they've only seen on a TV screen this year - from McCullum mainly, and so brilliantly, but also Williamson and Neesham.

So what of the day? There are many things than can be controlled. The weather is not one, so Canterbury officials were blessed with a cloudless day. The ground was packed with a fraction under 8000 in.

It really was a picture. Two hours before the start a large crowd was already seated anticipating a day loaded with significance for both Canterbury cricket fans and the city.

It could barely have gone better.

As for next year, yes, you'd like to see a real effort at setting up a world test championship - and getting rid of the nastiness prevalent whenever Australia and India or Australia and England meet these days, especially after the feelgood noises following Hughes' tragic death by bouncer.

But they're pipe dreams. Let's settle for what is achievable. New Zealand going toe to toe with Australia. That'll do nicely.