New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum's softly-softly approach has him talking up a new-look Australian side but must quietly feel his side is more in the pink for the upcoming three-Test series.
McCullum has arrived in Australia after giving testimony in Chris Cairns' perjury trial in London, which has exposed sordid allegation about match-fixing in the sport.
He admitted the trial had been a distraction from his cricket.
"To a degree it has, but I guess it had to be done. Now I am very much focused on this tour," he told reporters in Canberra ahead of matches against the PM's XI and a Cricket Australia XI.
The first Test starts in Brisbane on November 5 and Australia are recovering from an Ashes series loss in England and the retirements of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin.
It has given New Zealand fans hopes of their first series victory in Australia since the end of 1985.
But McCullum was quick to point to Australia's decades of home success since, not reading too much into their Ashes series loss and wary of an Australian team with new faces.
"It can make a team real dangerous... change can often galvanise a unit," said McCullum.
McCullum won't play in the first 50-over day-night match on Friday and the side will be captained by bowler Tim Southee.
Southee acknowledged he and Trent Boult would be more dangerous in swinging conditions.
"But I think we have also had results where it hasn't swung. We've performed in all sorts of conditions, all parts of the world... if it doesn't swing it's not the end of the world," he said.
The third Test in Adelaide will be the first played as a day-night fixture under lights and with a pink ball.
McCullum agreed with the suggestion it would be like playing two different series.
"We normally only get two-match series so it's nice to have a third one."
He said he liked to think the Black Caps improved performances had led to a three-match series against the higher ranked Australians.
"It'd be nice if we had a Boxing Day Test match one time at Melbourne, but I'd be well retired by that stage."
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