Black Caps confident after pink ball test

New Zealand's players have given their backing to the pink Kookaburra ball after a two-day trial in Hamilton, likening it to the white ball used in limited overs matches.

The Black Caps – minus absent skipper Brendon McCullum, who is in London as a witness in the Chris Cairns' perjury trail – have been playing in the twilight and under lights at Seddon Park to prepare for the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide.

"It's a matter of the boys just getting used to it and adjusting," Black Caps offspinner Craig said.

"This is what these two days are all about, finding out different ways of using it and how it reacts under the lights."

Fast bowler Matt Henry said a catching session with the pink ball under lights had posed little problems for the NZ players.

"There's not too much difference under lights," Henry told the NZ Herald.

"It's just the same thing, getting used to catching in dark conditions, really. There's not too much change, we've found, the pink ball's actually quite bright so it wasn't too bad."

The Black Caps players have no worries about the visibility of the Kookaburra at twilight, declaring it similar to the white ball.

"The twilight phase is difficult even with the white ball," Henry said. "From what we gathered there wasn't too much of a change.

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Kane Williamson at the New Zealand pink-ball session // Getty

Craig added: "Obviously with it being the first of its kind everyone is in an even playing field and these two days here are crucial building into what will be an awesome series."

The Black Caps will also get a chance to use the pink ball in a two day warm-up game against an Australian XI in Perth in the week between the second and third Test matches.

Craig can't wait to take on the world champions in their own back yard.

"We're very excited to get over there and take those boys on in their home conditions."

"It's going to be incredibly tough. We all know they are going to grow a leg so we are just looking forward to doing what we do best and hopefully put a good performance out."

The Black Caps leave for Australia on October 20 and begin their tour with a one-day match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra three days later.