If Brendon McCullum isn't scoring runs, will you take him solely as the skipper? Hmm.

She's been one hell of a ride folks. Supporting the BLACKCAPS over the past few years has resulted in smiles and proud moments thanks to runs and wickets, two things that kiwi cricket fans have lacked for much of our lives. I'm not saying that this ride is over and that Australia will wipe the floor in this series, putting the BLACKCAPS back into a cricketing middle ground ... although that could happen.

I view it as the end of stage one. Since this new BLACKCAPS team/group/unit/squad started their quest to be the best Test cricket team they have enjoyed success in home conditions against nations who usually struggle in Aotearoa and they have beaten teams they should beat away from home. The BLACKCAPS are yet to go to one of cricket's top nations and win a series, nor have they been lined up against a group of angry Australians.

It's Thursday morning, the morning of the first Test against Australia. Something that I have been looking forward to since the end of the Test series in England. Test cricket gets me going and while I certainly enjoy an ODI, nothing can compare to the anticipation in my loins right now. Anticipation and a sense of weariness.

Our BLACKCAPS are good, yet they still fall behind Australia in a few aspects and in all honesty the BLACKCAPS appear to be a year or so off from entering their peak. Remember, this is the start of stage two so we have a long way to go. Take Doug Bracewell for example as he's been named as the third-seamer for the kiwis and is yet to churn through consistent Test matches.

Australia have a few inexperienced players who could offer the kiwis an opportunity to flex their tactical and low key aggressive style. However I still have the Aussies as the favourites and unlike Sir Richard Hadlee, I have Australia as more than 'slight favourites'. While us kiwis have a bit of a chip on our shoulder always hunting for respect or the chance to shove one up our big brother's bum, the Aussies don't lack reasons to humiliate the BLACKCAPS. Stage two is about to start for the BLACKCAPS and a whole new era is underway for Australia, which only enhances the craziness of this first Test.

Optimism is great, supporting your team is great and rocking with the underdog is great. Yet Australia are still Australia as we have heard from the Aussies this week; their trademark aggression and chirpy nature will still be there. And this is all in Australia, in front of what I expect to be big crowds. As a neutral, it would be unwise to bet against Australia.

As a kiwi though, I will be gliding to the crease with Trent Boult and I'll be lofting drives in my lounge with Kane Williamson.