Lehmann expects batters to perform

Australia coach Darren Lehmann admits there is pressure on Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja to perform during the opening Test of the summer against New Zealand at The Gabba, but expects the duo to perform well.

Burns and Khawaja were last week selected in the 12-man squad for the opening Commonwealth Bank Test in Brisbane and are expected to take their place at the top of the order against the Kiwis.

Bupa Support Team coach Lehmann said everyone in the top six would need to contribute and that he was confident Burns and Khawaja would be able to do so.

"They (Burns and Khawaja) will get first crack at it and hopefully they do well," Lehmann said on Sunday.

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"They have played very well for Queensland in the Shield and made good runs at The Gabba.

"We know the Gabba is a fantastic Test wicket so they will know that well.

"For us the pressure is on to make runs and first innings runs is very important all the time.

"Those guys will know it well and will do well."

Australia have an excellent record at The Gabba, having not lost a Test at the Brisbane venue to any nation since the powerful West Indies defeated them by nine wickets way back in 1988.

That impressive record has Lehmann confident of a similar result against the Kiwis and the Australian coach believes his side can start the series well.

"We love the place, we love the wicket and Kevin Mitchell is one of the best curators going around in the world, so we know what is coming up," he said.

"Our bowlers have a great record here, our batters have made good runs and it is important to start the series well."

Lehmann didn't single out any individuals as being the key to New Zealand's fortunes, but he knows they are a confident side that are very capable on their day.

"To stop them you have to do the basics well," he said.

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"They have some good players...some top quality players, but we have got some good players and I expect us to do well."

Lehmann said he would not unleash all four quicks - Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood - on what is expected to be another juicy Gabba deck.

"We are pretty comfortable with where our quicks are at - (now it's a matter of) do we go with two left-armers (Johnson, Starc) or whatever," Lehmann said.

"We won't bowl four quicks unless there is a monsoon.

"Off-spinner Nathan Lyon has had success here and we have an allrounder in the side (Mitchell Marsh)."