It's not like Australia are desperate for a shot of confidence on the eve of the second Test but Steve Smith feels the WACA is exactly that.
Smith will be seeking to wrap up his first Test series win as captain when the clash with New Zealand starts on Friday.
Everything points to another Australian win - their batsmen are in form and their menacing left-armers' career-best figures came in Perth.
Kane Williamson was classy and Brendon McCullum bellicose with the bat in a 208-run loss in Brisbane.
Otherwise there was nothing to suggest the tourists will fare better in Perth.
Smith is cautiously confident, especially given most of his opponents have never taken guard on the famed field.
"That probably helps us a little bit," he said on Thursday.
"It's a place that takes a little bit of getting used to. I think as a batsman it takes a little bit longer to get in.
"It's nice to know some of their players haven't played here and we've got a lot of experience here.
"The groundsman thinks there's going to be quite a bit of pace and bounce, which is going to be nice."
McCullum agreed it was a unique challenge.
"That's why being successful away from home is such a tough thing to do," McCullum said.
"But when you do get success it means that much."
Smith confirmed Australia will field an unchanged XI, with Peter Siddle remaining 12th man.
"He (Siddle) was talked about. He's bowling really well at the moment but we've won the last Test with this line-up," he said.
Josh Hazlewood was close to making way for Siddle but not because of form.
"Josh's loads are quite high at the moment - he's bowled quite a lot over the past month or two," Smith said.
"So it was definitely spoken about. But we think he's going to do a great job ... he bowled really well last time he was here, against the South Africans in the one-dayers."
Smith was unsure whether Hazlewood would need to be rested for the final chapter of the three-match series, the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide.
"We'll wait and see how he pulls up after this Test," he said.
The only uncertainty regarding Smith's line-up is who takes the new ball.
Smith started with Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in both innings at the Gabba but hinted he may change things up at the WACA.
Starc's career-best match figures came at the venue in 2012, while Johnson's 8-61 at the WACA in 2008 is his best haul in a Test innings.
"The breeze is going to play a part whether Mitch Johnson opens the bowling," Smith said.
"It really depends which way it's going. We'll wait and see."
Smith noted Nathan Lyon would have a big role to play, forecasting short spells for Johnson, Starc and Hazlewood due to the heat.
"It's nice to have a spinner that bowls really well on bouncy tracks ... there's a good chance he'll bowl quite a few overs," he said.
Australia XI: David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
Share
