Shane Warne has predicted some niggle in this month's Test series with New Zealand as he closes on yet another milestone in his spin bowling career.

Warne insisted he was friends with the New Zealand players, particularly captain Stephen Fleming, but he warned the usual amount of "spice" would be mixed into the opening Test at the Gabba on Thursday.

Warne has already laid the kindling underneath the Kiwis by labelling them bad sledgers in his recent autobiography.

"There is always a little bit of friction between the two sides," Warne said.

"New Zealand always find that bit extra against Australia and that's been proven over a long period of time.

"We like playing it tough but we enjoy each others' company away from the field.

"I'm close friends with Stephen Fleming and he's a good fellow and a great bloke."

That sounds nice from Warne but don't imagine the leg-spinner will cut Fleming a break as he tries to become just the second bowler to take 200 wickets in Australia.

Dennis Lillee set the mark with 231 wickets in his 44 Tests at home, and Warne sits on 188 after 41 Tests through a memorable career.

The best news for Warne is that the two opening Tests of the summer will be played at his most successful Australian grounds. He has 44 wickets from six Tests at the Gabba, averaging 18.30, while his four matches in Hobart have produced 23 wickets at an average of 17.00.

He has taken more wickets at the Gabba than any other Australian ground and he has even scored more runs at the ground, including his equal career-high 86 against Pakistan two summers ago.

"The build up to the first Test is always exciting and I love playing in Brisbane because I've done well here with the bat and the ball," he said.

"I think it's one of the best cricket wickets in Australia for Tests.

"There is something there for the fast bowlers on the first day then it flattens out and then there is something there for the spinners at the end."

There was plenty there for Warne in 1994-95 when he snatched his career-best figures of 8-71 to bowl Australia to victory against England.

But he will have to squeeze in wickets this week around the in-form pace attack of Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.

"The form the Australian team is in at the moment is probably as good as it has ever been," Warne said.

"This team won't be getting complacent and that's something we don't even talk about now because it just doesn't happen."

© 2001 AAP