New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes Tuesday's third ODI against Australia will prove pivotal in the five-match series.

Australia levelled the series at 1-1 after winning game two in Auckland on Saturday, setting up Tuesday's clash in Hamilton nicely.

"I think that this is probably the most important game of the series. The team that can go 2-1 up just needs one more to take the series so we're going to put everything into this game," Vettori said.

"We enjoy playing here, it's a great cricket ground so the boys are excited about being here."

It has been a dramatic series so far with New Zealand's opening win in a fiery encounter in Napier followed by a determined Australian victory three days later.

Vettori feels the New Zealand public have been treated to some good cricket so far, adding: "I think it [the series] has been fantastic, especially with the Christchurch Twenty20 and these first two (ODIs).

"I think everyone knows that New Zealanders want us to win, but if they see good games then they'll be happy. Whatever the result is, I think New Zealanders are happy if it's a good game.

"They (Australia) always respect us. They've played better than us in a lot of games but the Chappell-Hadlee series is pretty important to us so they understand that we really get up for it and we want to win it.

"It's not like they back-off at all, I just like to think that we've stepped-up."

Unfortunately for Vettori and his New Zealand side, injuries are once again playing a big role in the series with the latest casualties, Ross Taylor and James Franklin, both rated no better than 50/50 to play on Tuesday.

Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart has been called in as cover and could find himself batting in the middle-order against Australia in his first game for the Black Caps.

The 27-year-old said it was a surprise to get the call-up but will treat it like any other game if he gets the nod to play.

"It's a big shock, I've worked hard these last couple of years," he said, on the back of a double century for Canterbury on Sunday in New Plymouth.

"I'm confident but it's just another game so I'll be taking it like that.

"Yeah it [playing Australia first up] will definitely be a dream. When you make your debut you want to play against the best and see where you're at."