Black Caps want to be back on big stage

New Zealand's beaten Test team don't want their hapless tour of Australia to stop them returning for the summer's marquee Tests on their next visit.

The Black Caps were a massive hit with the crowds and television audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, in their first visit over the Christmas period in 32 years.

But on the field they are the first to admit their results were poor.

Dogged by injuries, illness, poor preparation and ordinary performances, the closest New Zealand got to Australia was a 247-run flogging at the MCG.

Regardless, Cricket Australia have already indicated they won't have to wait three decades again, and stand-in Black Caps captain Tom Latham wants to return soon.

"That'd be great," Latham said.

"It was something everyone looked forward to for a long time and to have that game at the MCG was pretty special.

"To play at these grounds and be involved in a McGrath Foundation game (in Sydney) is pretty cool.

"In Melbourne the amount of support we had was unbelievable and that's something we should recognise.

"We don't necessarily get that support back home and if it was every four year that'd be great."

More immediately, New Zealand host five Twenty20s against India later this month before a Test series starts in February.

In positive news, they are expected to have Trent Boult back from a broken hand in time for the Tests.

Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner have also recovered from the illness that kept them out of the Sydney Test.

The India series shapes as a big one, with Virat Kohli's team atop the World Test Championship and New Zealand's series loss in Australia only their first since early 2017.

"It's really important we try to learn from this experience," Latham said.

"Even though we've been playing some good test cricket we were put under pressure and didn't quite perform our best.

"Once the dust settles and the guys reflect, hopefully leading into those India test matches we can have a few improvements."