New Zealand currently hold the Chappell-Hadlee trophy after beating Australia 3-0 in a series held in February. However, that series took place in New Zealand, where the Black Caps' batsmen are far more comfortable.

The signs were not good in Perth in the Twenty20 on Tuesday when Lou Vincent swung across the line of a short-pitched ball from Brett Lee, barely getting half-way through his shot before he top-edged the ball to Adam Gilchrist and was out off the first delivery of the innings.

The dismissals of other top Kiwi batsmen came in a similar manner as they struggled with the pace of the Australian attack as well as the bounce on the WACA pitch, something not usually seen in New Zealand.

'The pitch in Adelaide is not expected to be as bouncy or quick as in Perth, and may even offer some assistance to the spinners'

The pitch in Adelaide, where the first ODI will be played on Friday, is not expected to be as bouncy or quick as in Perth, and may even offer some assistance to the spinners. But the Australian pacemen will still be difficult for the New Zealanders to handle. All rounder Jacob Oram showed that New Zealand batsmen can flourish in Australia, and it will be up to the specialist batsmen to follow his lead.

The bowlers were not without their faults, either. Without strike bowler Shane Bond, again injured, the New Zealand attack will be spearheaded by Kyle Mills, hardly a daunting prospect.

In the Twenty20 international, most bowlers were able to put together four or five good balls an over, but undid all their good work by offering up at least one bad ball which was usually dispatched to the boundary. Spin twins Jeetan Patel and captain Daniel Vettori were accurate and economical, and should find the Adelaide pitch more to their liking.