SYDNEY, Feb 16: Australia's cricketers flew out of Sydney on Wednesday for their tour of New Zealand, dismissing suggestions they already have their minds on England later in the year.

The world champions will play New Zealand in three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match over the next six weeks.

The tour is Australia's final workout before this year's Ashes tour and while the English are looming as a potentially greater threat, captain Ricky Ponting said his team were only worried about New Zealand.

"I think a lot of the media are talking about the Ashes series but we know that we have got this very big and vital series to play first," Ponting told reporters at Sydney airport.

"New Zealand are a very good side and they are hard to beat in Australia and a lot harder to beat over there." The Australians were given a clean bill of health before their departure with opening batsman Matthew Hayden passing a late fitness test.

The left-hander had been bed-ridden for a week after suffering from pleurisy, a lung inflammation. "Matthew underwent fitness testing and was able to get through two heavy sessions without any difficulties," Cricket Australia team doctor Trefor James said in a statement. -Reuters