5 reasons why New Zealand can be a tougher opponent than Australia

#3 Stable batting order

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor

The Australian side's batting problems haunted them till the end of their tour. With too much reliance on the top three, Australian middle order looked a pale shadow of what it was during the days of Mike Hussey and Micheal Clarke.

The NZ side, although without big names, are much stronger in the batting department. Martin Guptill will take the responsibility up the order, with Colin Munro being touted as the second opener. Both are big-hitters and can make the best use of the field restrictions in the first 10 overs.

The Kiwi middle order looks stronger with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor holding fort. Williamson is already one of the best batsmen in modern day cricket and Taylor has been a rock for NZ for almost a decade now.

With the likes of Tom Lathan, Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme to follow, NZ have a long batting lineup but lack a power-hitter like Corey Anderson late in the innings.

However, that can be dealt with if they have at least one of Guptill, Williamson, Taylor or Latham staying until the end.