The colour of the ball changed and the quality of opposition dropped off yet New Zealand still struggled with the bowling blues on Saturday.
An inexperienced Western Australia XI were 5-237 at the dinner break on day one of the two-day fixture at the WACA.
Sam Whiteman and Will Bosisto shared a 99-run stand for WA, seeing off a five-over spell from NZ spearhead Tim Southee during the second session.
Southee and Trent Boult, who bowled a combined 99 overs in the second Test, were rested in the first session when the temperature hit 36C in Perth.
Southee came on after 40 overs but was largely ineffectual with the pink pill.
Whiteman slapped five boundaries off the right-armer, including a magnificent cover drive that brought up his half-century off 61 balls.
Whiteman was 71 not out at dinner, while Bosisto was stumped on 78 after charging down the wicket.
Mitchell Santner dismissed both Bosisto and Tom Beaton, who attempted a wild slog on 24 after being dropped on four by Ross Taylor at first slip.
However, the left-arm tweaker struggled for control and is unlikely to be called up to the Test side after going at 4.36 runs an over.
Much-maligned offspinner Mark Craig fared little better, logging figures of 0-43 from 11 overs.
NZ are expected to name an unchanged attack of Southee, Boult, Craig, Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry for the inaugural day-night Test that starts on Friday.
However, Neil Wagner added three wickets to his case for a Test recall.
Wagner, called into NZ's squad as cover after the first Test, removed Marcus Harris and Jon Wells in his first spell.
Wagner then delivered a ball on an awkward length after tea to dismiss WA captain Ashton Turner, with Taylor snaring the resultant edge at first slip.
Bracewell and Henry were handed the new ball but failed to create an early breakthrough.
Henry was particularly costly, his opening five-over spell going for 30 runs as Harris went on the attack.
Gun batsman Kane Williamson is captaining the tourists instead of Brendon McCullum.
Williamson lost the toss, however it mattered little as the two sides were already in agreement on how the two-day fixture will play out.
NZ will bowl during Saturday's three sessions, then bat for three sessions on Sunday.
The Blackcaps will use all 15 members of their touring party in what is essentially a centre-wicket session, with Luke Ronchi and BJ Watling sharing wicketkeeping duties.
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