The expectation is Steve Smith and Brendon McCullum will bat first if they win the toss in the opening Test between Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba.

The morning session on day one of the series opener will present difficult batting conditions, as it always does in Brisbane.

But ever since Nasser Hussain sent Australia in at the Gabba in 2002 the idea of opting to field first at the venue has become almost taboo.

Nonetheless it may not be such a bad toss to lose this week, with both sides boasting star-studded pace attacks.

McCullum was in no doubt about what would happen when he and Smith don the blazers to start the three-Test series.

"You win the toss and bat first. That seems the way it's done over here," McCullum said.

"It looks a good wicket. The groundsman knows how to prepare a good wicket. I think both teams will be looking to bat first."

Smith was not quite as obliging when asked the same question on Wednesday.

"I will wait and see and have a look at the Gabba tomorrow," Smith said.

"I think it will be a similar wicket to the one we had here last year."

That match was Smith's first as stand-in skipper, India opting to bat first and managing a total of 408.

Smith scored 133 in reply and Australia went on to record a four-wicket win on day four.

"It was a great experience to be able to have a few games captaining in the absence of Michael [Clarke]," Smith said.

"Hopefully we don't have a tougher day than the first day out here last year, all the bowlers were going down."

A maximum of 30 degrees Celsius is predicted in Brisbane on Thursday with a chance of showers in the morning and afternoon.

The humidity is not expected to be as crippling as it was in last year's Test, when Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh all left the field under duress.

AAP