With the first trans-Tasman hurdle overcome with sublime ease, skipper Ricky Ponting has indicated Australia faced a far tougher challenge in deciding upon their Test pace attack.

Ponting said it would be "almost impossible" to leave out any one of his four quicks after a series-clinching 87-run thrashing of New Zealand in the third one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Brett Lee continued his virtually irresistible form and pace in taking 2-24 from seven fiery overs that included the wicket of NZ skipper and batting key Stephen Fleming for the third straight time.

Lee now has seven wickets at 13 in the five-match series to again pressure Michael Kasprowicz for selection in the first Test of the three-match series, starting in Christchurch on March 6.

Kasprowicz has done little wrong in an admirable past 12 months where his variety of seam and swing has been a perfect foil for Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie to bag 47 wickets from 13 Tests at 23.74.

Ponting said Lee's 150kph speed, ability to swing the ball late and knack of picking up early wickets had made life difficult for opposition batsmen and Australian selectors alike.

"There's going to be some tough decisions made when the first Test comes around," the captain said.

"It's going to be almost impossible to leave one of the four out. (Lee's) doing everything in his power to give himself the best chance, but so are the other guys.

"And they have done for a long time now. All of those four bowlers are stats-wise in the best 10 or 12 bowlers in the world now."

There will be a major temptation to punt on the intimidation Lee brings into the equation, best shown by a lethal bouncer that struck Michael Papps in the helmet.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP