BRISBANE, Nov 7: Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori hold the key to New Zealand’s chances of stretching world champions Australia in the three-Test cricket series starting here Thursday.

Steve Waugh’s men swept to a 3-0 series win away in New Zealand last year but in two of the Tests the left-arm finger spinner Vettori snapped up 14 wickets at 15.57.

The Aussies respect Vettori, as they do the buccaneering Cairns, who bludgeoned 109 off Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne in the second Test and backed that up with 10 wickets in the series.

New Zealand have not beaten their cross-Tasman rivals in a series since 1985-86, although they won a one-off Test at home in 1989-90.

Australia, coming off their 4-1 summer Ashes triumph over England and their preceding 16-Test winning run, are predictably confident of beating Stephen Fleming’s team, but have respect for the Kiwis.

“NZ-Australia is always a great rivalry and a lot of respect too,” said Waugh. “We respect NZ and it’s always a good competition.

“They will be fired up tomorrow morning. They will come steaming in and give it to us.

“We have to make sure we are sharp and well focused and ready to go. Last time New Zealand caught us a bit on the hop on the first morning of the Test match.”

But a closer analysis shows what the New Zealanders are up against, and more importantly, the roles that Cairns and Vettori will play to keep the Kiwis competitive over the three Tests.

The last time New Zealand toured here four summers ago, Fleming’s team were belted by 186 runs in the corresponding Brisbane Test and then by an innings and 70 runs in Perth. The Kiwis clung on by a wicket to claim a draw in the final Hobart game.

New Zealand had their moments in the last series at home, but inevitably Australia’s greater batting and bowling depth claimed them a series whitewash.

Vettori, the second-youngest player from any country to take 100 Test wickets, has fought off an ankle injury to play at the Gabba this week, giving the Kiwis hope that he may again trouble the Australians with his flight and bounce.

“We’re confident that the way we will play will give us an opportunity to bowl Australia out twice,” Fleming said Wednesday. “And I think Vettori back in the side is a boost to that.”

Australia’s record wicket-taker Warne, who loves bowling on the Gabba pitch, rates 22-year-old Vettori highly.

“I just love playing at the ground and... I think (Vettori) will also be looking forward to bowling here with the bounce,” Warne said Wednesday.

“He’s a wonderful bowler and he really bowled extremely well against us last time.”

New Zealand must expect support for Cairns from Dion Nash, who has also been blighted by injury, but has a reputation as a fiery pace bowler with verbal intimidation to match.

The Australians are a superbly balanced team with the Waugh brothers adding experience to a batting top-order featuring the stroke-playing skills of Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn, the swashbuckling Adam Gilchrist and openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer.

Teams:

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath. 12th man: Andy Bichel.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Matthew Bell, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Dion Nash, Shayne O’Connor. 12th man: Lou Vincent.—AFP