Chris Cairns: Injured limbs and pride need to be restored

As I contemplate what awaits the Black Caps in the upcoming test series against the Aussies, I have a hollow feeling that's derived from a one-day series that never quite got off the ground.

It was billed as No 1 vs No 2 and was an eagerly anticipated challenge but we've been crippled by an outrageous ensemble of injuries.

When playing the best, you need your best. Maybe the odd injury can be absorbed but not half a dozen.

Injuries upset team rhythm because, with new personnel, existing roles are redefined and often newcomers require time to settle.

Combine injuries with a lack of results from senior players and exceptional bowling by the Aussies and you are left with a truly large gap between them and the rest.

What are our chances in the tests? As always my heart contains a large portion of optimism but my head tells me this may be misplaced.

If I was going into this series as a player I'd be under no illusion about the challenge that lay ahead and I always approach any contest with winning at the forefront of my mind.

This time, however, I will be on the sideline watching rather than participating so I am looking at this upcoming contest without my optimism distorting the picture.

To say it's going to be difficult for the Black Caps is an understatement comparable to saying it's going to be difficult to run a power grid up the spine of the North Island.

This Aussie test line-up is even stronger than their one-day line-up and arguably one of the best to grace the field of our great game. In every department they ooze class and, most importantly, experience.

Any good side is led from the front by their opening batsmen and bowlers. These two departments set up the match by not allowing the opposition to get off to any type of start.

In this department they have Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie. More often than not in the three tests, these four gentlemen will have a big say.

There are the usual suspects in Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne to complement them, and the almost unsung Damien Martyn who tends to grind salt into open wounds.

For the Black Caps the opportunity to grab a five-wicket haul or score a century will mean a lot against this opposition. While these are individual goals, we'll need this to allow the team aspect to count during the match. Scores of 60 won't count for much; nor will two- and three-wicket bags.

Over the next three weeks we'll witness tremendous skill. I know there are Black Caps who want to ensure it's not just Australian talent on display.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY