KEY POINTS:
Australia will be the hottest of favourites in the test series against New Zealand.
Comparing their lead ins makes for worrying reading.
The Black Caps played two tests against Bangladesh while Australia have been playing India over four. There's no question whose skills will be more honed come November 20 in Brisbane.
The Black Caps should take heart in the fact that, as the Bangladesh tour progressed, so too did their own personal and team performances. I give them a definite pass mark.
They were caught out at times by a lack of play but showed fighting qualities when required and in the final test _ while rain realistically made a result unlikely _ the Black Caps were totally dominant in the drawn result.
In India, Australia have looked competitive but been outplayed more often than not by a highly motivated, desperate and more experienced opposition.
This series has shown cracks in the Australian side from which other teams, in particular ours, should be taking confidence.
These cracks are not gaping holes just yet but represent stress lines that, if the Black Caps are good enough, can be exploited and worked on. They may just lead to further erosion of the Australian empire.
The most obvious weakening is in their bowling attack which is not operating as a unit and thus is not as effective as it once was. The loss of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne is showing as their attack revolved around the Warne/McGrath axis.
Stuart Clark is similar to McGrath but nowhere near the same quality and Australia can only call on spin bowling resources that are, at best, adequate. All of a sudden, Australia are using players like Cameron White in their test team _ just not test-match quality.
Don't get me wrong. Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Clark and Shane Watson are good bowlers and a definite step up from the Bangladesh attack but they all provide ample opportunity for scoring _ a change from the way Australia operated in 2004 when the life was strangled out of the Black Caps.
It will be tasty to see the attacking flair of Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Jacob Oram against the attacking instincts of Johnson, Lee and Watson. This is the area where, to have any chance, the Black Caps must dominate. This tour is crunch time for our middle order.
I have my reservations over our ability to bowl Australia out in Australia. Their batting is still strong and experienced and on Australian soil we cannot rely solely on Daniel Vettori.
Our seamers will enjoy more bounce but, on average, the tracks in Australia are pretty flat. In our favour is the absence of Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer who have been prolific against the Black Caps.
The Black Caps must use their net training time to its fullest now, because if they can play to their potential, they can rattle Australia. Ricky Ponting's captaincy is under scrutiny and a plucky Kiwi showing may be the last thing he needs.
