Former Australian Test great Jason Gillespie believes Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have the potential to be the finest pace attack the country has produced, declaring the trio as strong as any of the fearsome West Indies combinations of yesteryear.

If Kane Williamson's men are to become the first New Zealand side to win on these shores in 34 years, they will have to overcome an Australia pace arsenal that is statistically one of the most potent to ever wear the baggy green.

After a torrid 2018, Australia's quicks have hit back hard this year, as Sri Lanka, England and Pakistan's batsmen have found out.

Cummins is well clear at the top for most wickets this year while Hazlewood and Starc are poised to join him on the podium with two more Tests to play.