Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, has insisted his team will need to improve if they are to match South Africa in the upcoming three-Test series.

Brett Lee claimed five wickets as Australia dismantled New Zealand's batting line-up to record an emphatic innings and 62-run victory in the second Test at Adelaide Oval and seal a 2-0 series whitewash.

However, with the disappointing series defeat in India still fresh in the memory, Ponting is refusing to get too carried away with the performance. He said: "Realistically, that New Zealand team is probably not the strongest team we've ever come up against and they are probably the first to admit that.

"We are not kidding ourselves - we've got a long way to go if we want to stay the No.1 team in the world. I think the last couple of weeks have been a good step for us."

Australia have already turned their focus to the first Test against South Africa at the WACA, which gets under way on December 17 and Ponting revealed Shane Watson could get a recall for that match, leaving Nathan Hauritz with another one-off Test performance and Jason Krejza an extended wait on the sidelines.

"Everyone we've spoken to in domestic cricket this year has said it the WACA pitch has been very fast and very bouncy," Ponting said. "I don't think we'd bring another specialist fast bowler in, I think we'd look at an all-rounder like Watson."