Former New Zealand offspinner Dipak Patel believes the Black Caps should exploit under-pressure Australia.

Ponting has come under fire from former Australia captain Allan Border and the Australian media for his decision to boost the over rate of his bowlers rather than attack the Indians after they had slipped to 166 for six in the final Test in Nagpur.

The Indians rallied late on the fourth day and eventually went on to win the Test and the series 2-0, with most laying the blame squarely on Ponting, who risked being suspended for the first Test against New Zealand if the over rate fell too far beyond what was required.

His detractors have accused Ponting of putting himself before the team, a charge the skipper has furiously denied.

But with the pressure on the Australia captain unlikely to ease ahead of the opening Test in Brisbane, which starts on November 20, Patel, who played 37 Tests and 75 one-day internationals for the Black Caps, believes New Zealand should look to make the most of it.

"I think they can take advantage of the situation in Ponting being under more than a fair bit of pressure," he told The Dominion Post.

"The pressure from the press there will be pretty negative, so it will make a change that we arrive and the pressure is on them rather than our guys.

"If we are smart we can play on it."

Patel however shied away from installing the Black Caps as favourites, warning the hosts' pace attack of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark and Shane Watson still shaped as the most daunting hurdle for the New Zealanders.

"They can't get distracted by it because we need to play consistent cricket if we are to compete," he added.

"Australia will regret not playing (spinner) Jason Krejza earlier in the series but it's more a case of how we can cope with their pace attack."

Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Warren Lees is far less optimistic about the Black Caps' chances and is expecting a vicious backlash.

"Whether they won or lost in India won't make a difference to how they play against New Zealand," he said.

"It's more about whether they are at home or away. No matter who they play at home they life because they have to represent their public."