Both skippers will be wanting to bowl first in the Trans-Tasman Trophy opener in Wellington.

It may seem a world away from chilly Nottingham for Australia's cricketers but the Black Caps and Basin Reserve ground staff did their best to bring it closer.

Six months after their Ashes campaign crumbled at Trent Bridge, dismissed for 60 by England, home skipper Brendon McCullum was keen to sow a seed on the eve of the first cricket test.

And on a brilliantly fine Wellington day the pitch remained under hessian cover - moisture contained and dark green grass visible as the hose was trained on the lush block.

RYAN PIERSE/GETTY IMAGES Both sides will be keen to bowl first on the lush wicket at the Basin Reserve.

It won't dart around corners and swing will be more of a factor, but the psychology of preparing green wickets, as demanded by coach Mike Hesson, was intriguing in the pre-match joust.

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MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORT Much like the Australians, Black Caps' returning paceman Tim Southee will be licking his lips over the green wicket at the Basin Reserve.

Australia's batsmen are now viewed as suspect against the seaming or swinging ball away from home and if McCullum can break a run of three losing tosses in Basin tests, phase one of the grand plan is underway before a day one sellout of 6000-plus.

"The way they played in those seamer-friendly conditions is certainly something we can look at," McCullum said.

"We've got a very good bowling lineup who will swing the ball and if the conditions do favour us, I'm confident we'll ask some tough questions."

MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORT Spinner Mark Craig returns to the Black Caps test fold in place of the injured Mitchell Santner.

Tim Southee and Trent Boult haven't really fired as a duo this summer and if both hit their straps it's game on.

Both skippers confirmed their sides 24 hours out. New Zealand's line-up was predictable, with Neil Wagner missing the cut to Doug Bracewell, Corey Anderson returning at No 6 and spinner Mark Craig coming in for Mitchell Santner (foot) for his first test since Adelaide in December.

In a boost for the hosts, Australia omitted their fastest bowler James Pattinson who terrorised New Zealand on debut in 2011.

RYAN PIERSE/GETTY IMAGES Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum make their way to the nets at a sun-drenched Basin Reserve.

Not deemed ready after battling injury, Pattinson missed out to Jackson Bird, the 29-year-old seamer who played the last of his three tests in August 2013.

With Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle the other Australian quicks it's hardly the most fearsome attack to arrive in New Zealand, but if visiting skipper Steve Smith calls correctly a searching examination is still in prospect.

With no Ross Taylor (side strain) and Henry Nicholls on debut the New Zealand middle order could potentially be exposed, too, and it puts a lot on Kane Williamson's shoulders as usual.

"It's probably not going to be my decision," quipped McCullum of his poor record at the toss.

"It [Basin pitch] does offer generous seam and swing for the bowlers early on. We've batted first on it before and gone on to win test matches [against West Indies in 2013 and Sri Lanka a year ago].

"If you are batting first you've just got to hang in there, try and get yourself a score that's competitive. It's not going to be 500-600, then the third and fourth innings is where things start to take shape.

DAVID WHITE Fairfax Media Australian batsman, David Warner, speaking about the upcoming first test match against New Zealand, starting at the Basin Reserve tomorrow

"It's fair to say both teams will want to bowl."

In the last two Basin tests 27 wickets fell on day one, against India and Sri Lanka before massive second innings scores were posted. Four of the last six Basin tests have been drawn.

Smith admitted it was one of the greenest pitches he'd seen 24 hours out but, like opener David Warner who'd done his homework the previous day, he wanted to wait till match morning to pass judgement.

DAVID WHITE/FAIRFAX NZ David Warner and Steve Smith are hoping to avenge their Chappell-Hadlee defeat in the test series.

"I think traditionally the wickets here don't play quite as bad as they look," Smith said.

"For us it's about making sure we adapt to any conditions we play in. We haven't been good enough with the bat on wickets that have been doing a bit in the last year or so. So we've got a bit to prove there. It looks like the wicket might do a little bit."

Smith hasn't passed 30 in his last five international innings - three of those in New Zealand - and his wicket will be the most prized.

PHOTOSPORT Henry Nicholls makes his test debut bow for the Black Caps in Wellington.

Both sides look evenly matched with Australia looking the stronger batting lineup and having the edge in spin, with Nathan Lyon against Craig who has a bit to prove after falling off the pace in Australia.

None of the Australians have played a test in New Zealand, which is remarkable but it shows how rare trans-Tasman series are. Australia won by 10 wickets at their last Basin visit in 2010, when McCullum scored a century.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

Australia: Joe Burns, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.