Cricket: McMillan surprised by flat Aussie pitches

New Zealand's Kane Williamson plays a stroke against Australia during their cricket test match in Perth, Australia. Photo / AP.

New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan is the latest notable cricket figure to raise an eyebrow at the pitches used during the trans-Tasman Test series.

In one sense, McMillan couldn't have been happier with the way star charges Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson piled on the runs at the WACA during NZ's first-innings total of 624.

But in another, McMillan wanted a genuine contest between bat and ball so the 39-year-old was surprised at how flat the Perth wicket was.

"To a degree, yes," he said, having played a Test at the venue in 2001.

"On previous tours of Australia there's certainly been a little bit more there for the bowlers at different stages.

"Certainly the last two Test matches have been taxing on both bowling attacks.

"I'm expecting a bit more grass (at Adelaide Oval) than what we've seen in the last two Tests."

The inaugural day-night Test starts next Friday, with the strip set to have more grass on it to ensure the pink ball stays in shape.

"Historically Adelaide has generally been pretty flat and at times hasn't turned," McMillian said.

"But I wouldn't be surprised to maybe see more grass and even a hint of green grass on the surface.

"It could well be more challenging in the first innings if there is more grass on it."

NZ have had a poor run with pitches ever since they landed in Australia.

Manuka Oval was a belter of a batting wicket, while the crumbling Blacktown deck was deemed too dangerous to play on after a 503-run stand between Ryan Carters and Aaron Finch. The WACA pitch used for this weekend's pink-ball tour game against Western Australia should have no such issues.

"Hopefully it'll be hard and a little bit quicker than we saw in the Test," WA assistant coach Adam Griffith said.

"Under lights the conditions change a fair bit anyway, so there should be a bit in it there for the bowlers."

Griffith leapt to the defence of WACA curator Matthew Page following widespread criticism after the drawn second Test.

"He's a very good groundsman and we've got full faith in what he does," Griffith said. "He's been excellent over the last couple of years."