Perth, Jan. 31 : New Zealand cricket skipper Daniel Vettori believes Australia''s aura has been washed away following a spate of retirements.

On the eve of the one-day series between the two nations, which kicks off at the WACA Ground on Sunday, Vettori said it was less daunting facing up to Australia since the retirement of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.

"Those are the guys you''ve been watching since you were eight or nine years old. Now, a lot more guys are playing against their peers. That will make a difference," Fox Sports quoted Vettori, as saying.

"They''ll have more of an understanding of the players they are coming up against. I just think you look at them differently. You still understand they are a really good side who have good players," he added.

"There''s more of a peer-like feel than in the past when you are playing against guys who have played 300, 400 one-day games, which can be pretty daunting,'''' Vettori said.

Despite Australia''s 4-1 capitulation to South Africa, which propelled the Proteas to the No. 1 one-day cricket ranking, Vettori said Australia remained a formidable force at home.

"Playing Australia in Australia is still the toughest challenge in world cricket so any team that comes here is naturally going to be an underdog,'''' he said.

"Australia have been the number one team for so long and South Africa have just caught up to them so those teams are at the top of the tree.

Vettori dismissed suggestions that Andrew Symonds'' outburst towards New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum would add extra spice to the series.

"I think it''s so long ago now. It''s done its course,'''' Vettori said.

"Brendon was happy with the apology and Cricket Australia have handed out their punishment so it''s not a problem.''''(ANI)