New Zealand haven't actively spoken of the summer of '85 but the presence of Richard Hadlee in Brisbane on Test eve ensured it was on some of their minds.
Hadlee snared 15 wickets at the Gabba in 1985, putting NZ on track for their only Test series win in Australia.
The Black Caps have only managed one Test victory in Australia since, but Hadlee is among many pundits that consider the current side a good chance of adding more.
"This is an exciting side and it's worth watching these guys," he said on Wednesday at the Gabba.
"It (captain Brendon McCullum's approach) is high risk but has great rewards.
"Bowlers are getting wickets and knocking sides over.
"We've got some quality batsmen, a lot of them are averaging 40 or 45 and that really hasn't been seen in the history of our game."
The match starting on Thursday will be played on a pitch that "still looks quite similar to what it was in '85" according to Hadlee.
McCullum hasn't tried to use that game as a source of motivation.
"Maybe some guys in the team will call on that (the 1985 Test) as bit of inspiration but it's not something we've talked about in the group," he said.
"It's going to be a great series to be part of.
"I'm pretty confident our guys will play well and if we are beaten then we'll make it bloody tough for them."
Meanwhile, McCullum confirmed Doug Bracewell would play as the third paceman ahead of Matt Henry.
"It was a bit of a coin toss with them but we were comfortable either way," NZ skipper Brendon McCullum said on Wednesday.
"They're both very similar bowlers.
"We just thought Doug was bowling a touch better at this time."
Hadlee urged Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Bracewell to keep it simple this week instead of trying to over-attack.
"I just hope they don't go searching - looking for the knockout delivery ... that ball that is pitched up that becomes a full toss or a half-volley," he said.
"It'll be a game of patience in many ways."
Hadlee, widely regarded as NZ's greatest cricketer, tipped young gun Kane Williamson would become the nation's best batsman in due course.
"In the history of the game only six players have scored ten Test centuries by the age of 25," he said.
"That includes the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers and Sachin Tendulkar. So he's in very good company."
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