Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson believes his team is in great shape to take on old enemy Australia and their conquerors South Africa in the coming weeks.
New Zealand face a daunting home schedule, with the one-day Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia starting on Monday. After three 50-over battles with the best team in the world, South Africa come to town.
The Proteas will play one T20, five ODIs and three test matches, rounding off an epic summer of cricket.
Having wrapped up a two-nil series win against Bangladesh, Hesson is adamant New Zealand can keep the good run going.
"We've had four tests win in a row, off the back of two-three years of good work," Hesson said.
"And we beat Bangladesh 8-0 overall [two tests, three ODIs, three T20s]. And while that's a really good result, it doesn't show how competitive the series against Bangladesh was," Hesson said.
"They put us under pressure at certain times, but we fought hard throughout the whole series. It wasn't a complete performance at any stage, but I thought we were pretty good… In fact, I thought yesterday was our best day of bowling for 12 months."
That form will have to continue against a rampant 50-over Australia side, who are currently well 3-1 up in the series against Pakistan. And although David Warner and Usman Khawaja are being rested for the New Zealand trip, Hesson knows the task ahead.
"I think most sides have players that they leave out… Australia still have plenty of good players, though."
Tom Latham and possible debutant Tom Blundell are vying for the Blackcaps wicket-keeping spot on Monday, but Latham looks to be favourite and will take the gloves for Canterbury against Auckland this weekend.
"We've got options but Latham is a power player in the middle order and allows us an extra bowling option. We’ve used him in the past and he’s been very good for us.
"Australia is a huge and exciting series for us and playing in front of big home crowds will be important also."
