Adam Parore: Black Caps will have to be at peak to trouble the baggy green side

The Aussies arrive next week and I don't think what we've seen against Bangladesh provides any clues to how the Black Caps will go.

Bangladesh may have played better than some thought they would, and Daniel Vettori might be disappointed his side wasn't more ruthless.

What we saw reflects that New Zealand had a decent chunk of their bowling attack removed with the departure of Shane Bond and Iain O'Brien. We certainly lacked penetration.

Australia will play the game in a completely different way and at a different level.

Facing Bangladesh was not great preparation for the Aussies, and could even do more harm than good.

Australia will bowl at a different length for a start, and our batsmen will have to get their feet moving well.

One of the things New Zealand would have targeted in the test at Hamilton was a big score for Martin Guptill and that happened.

It might help kick his career along - although I know from my own playing days, when Zimbabwe were the international cannon fodder, that no one likes being reminded that their highest score was against one of the minnows. Much better that it is tagged alongside a team like Australia.

Vettori keeps gathering more responsibility and I'm sure they will stick with him at No 6 in the batting order. He seems to thrive the more he is expected to do. The load will be pushed on him until it reaches a point when it doesn't work any more.

A key figure against Australia will be opener Tim McIntosh.

As usual, the heat will be on the top-order batting, our traditional weakness.

It is always an advantage for a left-hander to be making the runs at the top of the order because this forces opposition bowlers to make adjustments that can affect their plans and accuracy.

If a left-hander can stay at the crease, this makes life easier for the players at the other end.

Without Bond and O'Brien, though, New Zealand will struggle to dismiss Australia twice.