Fleming's dismissal by McGrath began a Kiwi collapse

The Kiwis were bowled out for 251 chasing 575-8 on day three in Adelaide, and the hosts declined to enforce the follow-on to build a hefty lead.

"It's another disappointing day on this tour," said Fleming.

"Shane (Warne) will always turn it so it is going to be tricky but certainly something can be achieved if there are a couple of heroes on our side."

The bottom line is we are just being outplayed, we are being thumped Stephen Fleming

New Zealand's cause was not helped when batsman Scott Styris, suffering an ear infection, was unable to bat until the fall of the eighth wicket. He hit a quickfire 28.

"When you need all hands on deck, to have him coming in so low and being last man out is something we can ill afford," Fleming continued.

"He is a little bit pale and his vision wasn't great but the bottom line is we are just being outplayed, we are being thumped."

Fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who took 4-66 including Fleming for 83, made a bold statement of Australia's intent for the rest of the match.

"There's still two full days left in this Test," he said.

"We get maybe two sessions off, freshen up and then front up at them when we have 500-plus on the board."