Tom Latham has backed New Zealand's batting to prosper after it was exposed in Perth.

Black Caps opener Tom Latham is confident their batting woes in the heavy first test defeat in Perth were a blip as the fabled Boxing Day test looms large.

Australia won by 296 runs in scorching Perth conditions and an 11-day gap between the first and second tests of the three-match series has given New Zealand more time to regroup after a harsh reality check in Western Australia.

The second test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from Thursday – New Zealand's first involvement in the Boxing Day test since 1987 – will see an altered Black Caps XI take the field with strike fast bowler Trent Boult set to return from injury.

But the biggest change is likely to be the inclusion of middle-order batsman Tom Blundell as an opener instead of Jeet Raval for just his third test.

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Raval is all but certain to be dropped after an awful run of form but New Zealand's batting unit was a collective failure after meagre scores of 166 and 171 in Perth.

Latham, who scored 18 after a duck in the first innings, said it was a case of things not going to plan after the 1-0 series win over England at home last month.

PHOTOSPORT Tom Blundell is set to open with Tom Latham in the Boxing Day test.

"On the back of two test matches at home, and the test in Perth in pretty hot conditions, it's been pretty good for the guys to relax a little bit and try and get away from the game," the left-handed Cantabrian said on Monday.

Latham looks like he will be opening with Blundell and he backed their batsmen to prosper after struggling in the first test.

"The guys are pretty good. Recently, we've been tracking well [but] it was one of those games where things didn't quite go to plan, so it's about going back to basics and for guys to reassess their plans," he said.

"We've played them [Australia] before and hopefully we can come out as a batting unit and put our best foot forward."

GETTY IMAGES Tom Latham faced a media pack in Melbourne on Monday.

Latham admitted he was unsure what to expect from the MCG's scrutinised pitch after another strip forced the abandonment of a domestic Sheffield Shield match this month because it was deemed too dangerous.

Deliveries seemingly bowled at a good length were rocketing up from the surface but assurances have been made of its suitability.

Latham and Blundell could be tasked with facing the new ball on a hostile pitch against Australia's formidable bowling attack in the cauldron of a packed MCG.

New Zealand's batting unit finished their practice fixture against a Victoria XI on Sunday at 258-3 and Blundell's brisk 59 from 70 balls has effectively cemented his place alongside Latham at the top of the order.

"Tom's a quality player. He's only played a couple of tests but he's got plenty of first-class experience behind him and he played beautifully yesterday [on Sunday]," Latham said.

"He is normally in the middle order and he usually faces the new ball at some point, but it will obviously be at the start of the innings."

Blundell retired on 59 but it wasn't such a fruitful day for Latham as he was dismissed for five off the bowling of team-mate Boult, who was featuring for Victoria on his road to recovery.

The Black Caps will hope at least one of Latham or Blundell can lead from the front with the series on the line in Melbourne.