Cricket great Doug Walters reckons New Zealand's pace attack will inspire their first Test series win in Australia in 30 years, adding it will be "good for cricket".
And ex-Australian speedster Len Pascoe agrees, claiming Josh Hazlewood may be at risk of losing his spot this series and Peter Siddle could struggle after losing "a few yards".
Walters said Kiwi spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee would be backing themselves to spark wins in the first two Tests on bouncy Gabba and Perth decks respectively.
And he believed the swinging pink ball in the historic day-night third Test in Adelaide would also play into the Kiwis attack's hands.
"This is easily their best chance," Walters told AAP of New Zealand's odds of winning their first Test series Down Under since 1985.
"I think it would be good for cricket if they beat us to be honest - it would be great for New Zealand cricket.
"And there's a fair chance they will beat us.
"We haven't got the greatest side and they have performances on the board that says they can beat us.
"Plus that swinging pink ball in Adelaide. New Zealand's bowlers would like the look of this series."
Australian left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has been in sensational one-day form, claiming 23 wickets at an average of 7.47 for NSW ahead of Sunday's domestic tournament final.
However, Siddle has not played much cricket since taking match figures of 6-67 in Australia's fifth Ashes Test romp.
He claimed 1-53 off 10 overs for Prime Minister's XI against New Zealand in Canberra on Friday.
Mitchell Johnson has warmed up with seven one-day wickets in two games for WA including 5-31 against Queensland on Wednesday.
Hazlewood was rested from the fifth Ashes Test triumph after taking 16 wickets at 25.75 against England.
Pascoe believed Siddle and Hazlewood may battle this summer.
"Starc is exceptional, hopefully he doesn't get bowled into the ground and he stays fit the whole series," Pascoe told AAP.
"Mitchell Johnson is great but I think the third bowler is a problem.
"If Hazlewood doesn't perform well at the Gabba I think he will find it hard to get back into the other Tests."
Pascoe wasn't convinced by Siddle who only contested the fifth Ashes Test.
"He's lost a few yards," he said.
"In England with the Duke balls he's a difficult customer but he's back in Australia now.
"He might struggle a bit. But he will be aware of that and would be working hard in the nets to be competitive."
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