An abject first innings batting effort was the main contributing factor to the first Test loss by New Zealand in Wellington.
Australia played the way we expected them to - loads of discipline, plenty of ability, and a workmanlike performance so typical of Ricky Ponting's men.
When the Aussies have the opposition by the jugular, they simply do not let go.
A pity then that New Zealand's jugular vein was laid bare way too early in the piece. After just a day, the advantage was so far in Australia's favour that not even an excellent fight-back could make up the lost ground.
New Zealand will have gained some confidence from the better batting effort of the latter days of the Test. Firstly Tim McIntosh showed some dogged fight and then Dan Vettori and Brendon McCullum carried on the battle.
It should be plain to New Zealand that this Aussie team lacks the class of previous sides. Sure, they are incredibly efficient and know very well how to apply and maintain pressure on an opponent.
But they are fairly one-dimensional in the way they play.
It is attritional cricket, aimed at wearing down the opposition. The batsmen look to bat session-after-session knowing the bowlers will weary eventually. And their bowlers look to put the ball in good areas, cutting off a supply of runs, effectively 'boring out' the batsmen.
To beat them, New Zealand will have to show reciprocal powers of concentration, confidence and determination.
Personnel-wise, the case to drop Peter Ingram for Mathew Sinclair will be debated by the selectors. So far, it appears that Vettori and Mark Greatbatch are keen to show great loyalty to their set of players.
A problem with the current set-up is that, with the exception of Glenn Turner, the other selectors are both too close to the team. There is a suggestion that a blinkered approach prevails as the merits of those players on the fringe go unnoticed.
With Vettori and Greatbatch preaching from the same hymn book, it is likely that Ingram will be given one last chance to prove his worth. If so, it is a clear indication where the balance of power at selection time sits.
New Zealand did improve as the Test progressed in Wellington.
If it can continue that improvement, the competition between the two sides could be closer in Hamilton.