New Zealand will be keeping a close eye on Australia's progress against India during the next few weeks.

While the Black Caps are toiling away in the heat and humidity against Bangladesh, Ricky Ponting's team will be facing a far tougher challenge on the sub-continent before their Test series against New Zealand in Australia next month.

But for New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram watching the Australia-India series will be as much about enjoyment as it is about doing homework on their opposition.

"One of the top series in cricket is Australia-India, along with Australia-England," the 30-year-old said.

"We'll be watching not only from a scouting perspective but also purely from an entertainment perspective as well."

Oram acknowledges the Black Caps' build-up to the Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide will not be as taxing as the Australians.

"But if we can drive on from there and get a few wins and guys can get runs and wickets we'll go to Australia with a lot of confidence as well which has got to be good," he added.

The New Zealand side has a much more youthful look to it these days, especially in the batting line-up, but spearheaded by Brendon McCullum and with talented right-hander Ross Taylor and the power-hitting Jesse Ryder back, the one-day top order is potentially an exciting one.

Ryder, who is back in the side after recovering from a hand injury he sustained when he put it through a window in a bar while celebrating the one-day series win against England in February, has yet to play a Test for New Zealand and has only five one-day internationals under his belt but definitely has the X-factor.

"He's so raw and very much a rookie but at the same time he has become such an integral part of our team," Oram said. "At home we saw what damage he could do and the intimidation factor he had at the top of the order.

"There's also Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, who are pretty dynamic batsmen, then you've got Jamie How who's pretty tough and we have what looks like will be a pretty good top order for us."

New Zealand's first one-day contest is in Dhaka on Thursday where new power-play rules will be used which will allow the batting team to choose when one of either the second or third power-play takes place.

Oram admits it is an interesting addition and that bowlers will need to become more adaptable.

"From a bowling perspective it's going to add something different," he added. "Up till now, even though you could choose when to take those power-plays as a bowling side, you are still quite structured because the captain would know who he is going to bowl during those times.

"Now with the batting side choosing that second or third one pretty much everyone has got to be flexible and willing and ready to bowl and also possibly bowling some death overs which are the yorkers etc as well."