Ricky Ponting, Australia's captain, and Daniel Vettori, his New Zealand counterpart, believe the Chappell-Hadlee Series has the potential to become cricket's equivalent of rugby's Bledisloe Cup. "It'd be great if we can get it to that level," Vettori said in the New Zealand Herald.

"If you keep coming up with it every year, we'll get a better feel for playing Australia and knowing what we need to do as opposed to meeting them every two to three years. And therein lies more chance to beat them."

Ponting was also in support of the idea, although he said the long-term success would depend on scheduling. "The cricket has been fantastic, and as long as we can get the timing right for everyone involved, this concept has got a great future," he said. "The overall concept is great. Any time you get Australia and New Zealand playing any sport, it's a great contest, as we've seen both times we've played the series. All I'll say is it wouldn't be ideal if it was in the middle of an Ashes series."

The series was awkwardly placed between Australia's Test campaigns against West Indies and South Africa and Australia host England over five Tests next summer. "It's not ideal for us as far as getting prepared for a Test series but it's just what you have to do these days," he said. "It's professional cricket."

New Zealand, who won the third game at Christchurch after losing the first two, continue their season with a home series against Sri Lanka later this month. Australia begin the three-Test contest against South Africa at Perth on Friday.