Southee unconcerned about New Zealand's 30-year Test win drought in Oz

Brisbane: New Zealand quick Tim Southee isn't concerned that the Black Caps have not won a Test series in Australia in the last 30 years as they embark on another Test series starting here at The Gabba ground from Thursday.

The Kiwis haven't won a Test series on the Australian soil since the Richard Hadlee led them to a 2-1 triumph back in 1985-86, a series that took place before Southee was even born.

Australia's record at The Gabba is almost as good as their recent results at home against New Zealand, with Steve Smith's side unbeaten at the Brisbane venue since the West Indies beat them there in 1988.

But Southee is not worried about either record and says his team mates are confident they can obtain the right results if they stick to their plans throughout the series.

"We haven't had a lot of success at the Gabba, nor have other touring sides, so it is always a tough way to start the tour," Southee was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia on Sunday.

"It's going to be a tough challenge, but one of the strengths of the side is that we don't get too far ahead of ourselves. We know it's going to be a hard fought series, so if we do our things right then it goes a long way towards us doing what we came over here to achieve," he said.

Southee is looking forward to sharing the new ball with fellow quick Trent Boult, with the duo having proven their fitness at training over the last few days despite their tour match with a Cricket Australia XI in Sydney being called off early.

Southee said training here had been "as good as it gets" and that he was looking forward to playing on what is expected to be a bouncy Gabba wicket.