Australia leg spinner Shane Warne says he will make New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming his top target for Thursday's first Test.

"For me Stephen Fleming is the man I'm nailing," Warne told reporters on Monday.

"We'll enjoy a beer afterwards but I'm going to try and nail him," added Warne, who has taken a world record 541 wickets in 115 Tests.

"No more nice guy to him. No way, I'm giving it to him. We're going to test him out and see how he's going.

"He'll be one of their most important players because if he does open or bat at number three (and) gets through the new ball he can hold the whole innings together."

The 31-year-old Fleming, who is in some doubt for the Brisbane test because of a viral infection, averages 39.75 in his 87 Tests.

The left-hander's shrewd tactics in the field helped New Zealand draw the three-Test series 0-0 in Australia in 2001-02.

Fleming did not join the team in Sydney until Saturday after a mysterious viral illness from the Bangladesh tour left him drained of energy and sleeping up to 20 hours a day.

Batsman Nathan Astle, who has a back complaint, and spinner Daniel Vettori, who has shoulder soreness, also did not play in the four-day tour match against New South Wales last week, which the home side won by nine wickets.

Australia's big-hitting opening batsman Matthew Hayden said he would be keen to put Vettori under pressure.

"He's not going to be able to turn the ball as much as he will do in Adelaide (in the November 26-30 second Test)," Hayden said. "He's a key to their attack who will be under pressure here."

Paceman Glenn McGrath said his main target would be the 33-year-old Astle, who made 156 not out in the Perth Test against Australia three years ago.

Local bookmaker TAB Sportsbet on Monday listed the Kiwis as 9-1 underdogs to win this week's first Test, with Australia 5-2 favourites.