Brisbane: A new-look Australia under Steve Smith will look to rebound from a disappointing Ashes loss when the first Test against New Zealand begins at the Gabba on Thursday.
The Black Caps, according to New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee, boast one of the greatest new-ball partnerships in swing kings Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Australia also has an attack the envy of most nations.
We assess some of the key questions heading into the Brisbane opener. 
Will New Zealand be overawed by the Gabba deck?
Going by what they have said, that won't be the case. There's been many a visiting team spooked by Brisbane's added bounce, whether that be psychologically or simply through banging the ball in too short for too long. And when both occur ??? think Nasser Hussain in 2002 when he won the toss and opted to bowl ??? entire series can effectively be destroyed. The Australians have not lost here since 1988-89, thumped the Black Caps four years ago and and understand the importance of a solid day-one start. "That's something we do very well here at the Gabba, we start very well. You see teams that come here and bowl first on these wickets, they tend to bowl too short, and then their bowlers tend to have to come back too early in that first session before lunch," Australian vice-captain David Warner said. "As a batting unit, we have got to really play (the ball from) under our nose. We have seen in the past a lot of players from overseas come over here and like to drive early, something you probably can't do here."
Who boasts the best new-ball attack?
This is an intriguing debate. The Black Caps boast left-armer Trent Boult and Tim Southee, considered one of the finest swing-bowling combinations in the world. Boult, the highest ranked bowler in the series (No.5 in the world), debuted on this tour four years ago. He believes the tourists have the bowling edge. "It's been proven to swing around here in the past and, obviously, it's very hot out there and humid. So if we get things right, I can't see a reason why it can't swing. In terms of the wicket it looks like a good wicket. It's obviously going to have good pace and carry. By all means it's not going to be a walkover, but it's going to suit pace bowling definitely," Boult said. Sir Richard Hadlee, who knows a thing or two about the Gabba, has urged Southee and Boult to be patient and to not over-stretch for that "wicket" delivery. Australia's Mitchell Starc, with his radar clearly on, is in the form of his life after a majestic start to the domestic season, and may be ready to grab the spearhead role from a 34-year-old Mitch Johnson, who has the least wickets this calendar year of his fellow Australian bowlers. Johnson struggled through the Ashes but his pace is said to now be at an all-time high.
Are Australia's new boys ready to take their chance?
Another absorbing question. Usman Khawaja says he is unsure whether he immediately needs a big score to rubber-stamp his spot at No.3 beyond the opening two Tests - but it surely would help for he needs to lift his average of 25.13. "Just because I have been picked third time around it doesn't mean I am somehow going to be Don Bradman. I have to make sure I do what I have done to get me to this point and not really change too much," Khawaja said. Joe Burns, in his third Test, will look to forge a long-term relationship with David Warner, and a home Test will help embolden him for what he hopes is a long summer ahead. The selectors are looking to veteran Adam Voges to be the middle-order plank and build on his solid end to the Ashes. He needs a major score.
Who is playing for keeps?
Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling says he does not mark himself against his direct opponent in a series but the battle of the glovemen looms as a key one. Watling has had a year to remember, plundering 407 runs at 101.75 in three Tests, and his glovework has been clean. He is a former specialist opener who only took to wicketkeeping in his latter years. His role with the bat against the old ball or against the second new ball looms as crucial. Peter Nevill, however, said he was disappointed with his output with the bat (143 runs at 23.83) after debuting in the second Ashes Test, and he will face a fight to retain his spot should he struggle with the bat. Nevill isn't one for sledging - but that could change when the heat is on.
Who can spin the best yarn?
It's a tribute to Nathan Lyon's standing as Australia's leading Test wicket-taker as an off-spinner (162 at an average of 34) that there has been no talk this time of playing four fast bowlers at the Gabba. Lyon had a solid tour of England and would appear to be at the peak of his powers. Craig has made a strong start to his career, with 38 wickets in 10 Tests, and strikes at a similar rate to his counterpart. Lyon said Australia's batsmen would "definitely have to respect" Craig, who has modelled his game on former Ashes nemesis, Graeme Swann. "He is very similar to Swann in his action. He is probably a good role model to have if you are trying to emulate someone's action. He is very classy spinner and he may generate some bounce over here," Lyon said.