Australia and New Zealand prepared for the first trans-Tasman Test series in four years in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Script:

The first trans-Tasman test cricket series in four years has been pitched in a way that earned Brendon McCullum's New Zealand line-up the tag of the "politest" team in the international game.

Steve Smith, preparing for his first series as Test captain, makes no excuses for a hard nose approach to cricket that comes with the Australian job.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Smith, Australian cricket captain:

(referencing New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum's criticism of some of his decisions):

"No hard feelings. They've come over and they're playing that 'nice guy' act again, but we're going to continue to play the hard, aggressive brand (of cricket) that we play so well."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Brendon McCullum, New Zealand cricket captain:

"It sort of grew organically, to be honest. I think for a long period of time we were searching for a bit of a soul about our team, and in the end we sort of stumbled on the fact that sledging (verbal intimidation) for us has never worked for us. We're not very good at it, for a start, and also we're not skilled enough to be able to take our eye off the ball and focus on other things."

Australia hasn't lost a Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane since 1988, and has only ever lost three Tests at home to the Kiwis.

Bilateral exchanges haven't been as frequent since, the last being in 2011 when New Zealand lost the opener but levelled a two-match series with an unexpected seven-run win in Hobart.

Smith's line-up should start as favourites, given Australia's imposing record at home, but is the less settled of the teams.

As well as Clarke, Chris Rodgers, Shane Watson and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin have also retired, leaving inexperienced Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja to return to the top order and Peter Nevill to keep wicket.

With McCullum's flair and Ross Taylor's batting experience, the New Zealand squad is well-balanced.

Doug Bracewell is selected over Matt Henry to support the left-right swing combination of Boult and Southee.