Steve Smith has declared Australia's intentions to target New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson during the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series, believing the dominos could fall around him.
While Smith was at lengths not to describe the Kiwis as having a soft underbelly, he said Williamson's wicket would be key when the three-match series being at the SCG on Sunday.
With the Black Caps undergoing massive generational change and missing a number of key players due to injury, Smith said Williamson shaped as a key scalp.
"They've got a lot of quality players in their line up. A lot of the time they bat around Kane Williamson, he's sort of the glue in their middle order," Smith said.
"I wouldn't say there's any vulnerabilities there. Kane's a quality player and he's capable of scoring big runs. He's certainly one that we'll need to get on top of if we want to have success in this series."
The Kiwis come to Australia with the opportunity to dethrone Darren Lehmann's side as the world No.1, with South Africa to jump into top spot if New Zealand can manage a 3-0 whitewash.
The visitors also hold the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy following their series win at home earlier in the year.
However the Black Caps will hardly resemble the squad which lost the 2015 World Cup final to the Australians, following the retirements of Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills.
They also have Ross Taylor, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan and Corey Anderson out injured.
Smith praised the experience in the New Zealand bowling line up and described 150km/h tearaway Lockie Ferguson as a potential x-factor.
"They've got some dangerous players up top with (Martin) Guptill and (Tom) Latham, if he bats up top. I think he can play," Smith said.
"They've got some experience in their bowling line up with (Tim) Southee and (Trent) Boult and a bit of pace in this young fella that I've heard about, Ferguson."
