Wellington, Nov 6: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes that Australia is the best cricket side in the world despite struggling against Indian in the ongoing Test series.

Vettori rated the Aussies team as the biggest challenge in world cricket, and said Australia remained the topside in the world, “particularly in their own conditions”.

New Zealand is preparing to head across the Tasman next week for a four-day warm-up match against New South Wales in Sydney before tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

“They are going to come back pretty strong and they have an exceptional batting lineup. Maybe where they have struggled a little bit is that lack of quality spinner. In a place like India, you always get found out with that. In Australia, you may not need that as much, but I still see them as the toughest ask in world cricket,” he said.

The New Zealand squad announced today featured five specialist pace bowlers, including Chris Martin, who returns to international duty after missing the trip to Bangladesh because of a hamstring injury.

Of the 15 players named in the squad, batsman Peter Fulton will remain in New Zealand to play domestic cricket.

Back-up wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins will travel to Brisbane on the eve of the first test and remain until play starts as cover for Brendon McCullum. (ANI)