Oram is one of the Kiwis' big hopes of salvaging a draw out of a looming heavy defeat in the second Adelaide Test against the world-beating Australians.

Weather looks to be New Zealand's best hope with the tourists fighting to survive at 149 for five chasing a record 464 to win on Tuesday's final day.

Oram, a brilliant century-maker in New Zealand's innings and 156-run hammering in the first Brisbane Test, goes into the final day unbeaten on 40 with wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum on 34.

"We just have to see what we can do because we're up against history here, this is a huge chase and especially going into the last day it's a huge ask," Oram said Monday.

"We haven't in the two partnerships I've been in talked about the end result or the bigger picture in chasing down 464... it's purely about the next run, the next ball, the next over and all we can do is get through the small targets and see where we are."

Oram believes it's not the case of New Zealand batting poorly in the series, but that Australia's bowlers -- Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz -- are just that good.

"I don't know if you can say we're batting poorly or they're bowling extremely well because I look at the way they're bowling at the top of our innings and they just seem to be getting out of the pitch something we can't," he said.

"Obviously, they are a class act with the bowling attack they have and they've got a 'million' wickets between them, but they just seem to be on top of us at the moment.

"They're bowling in very good channels and making us play and by that I mean defensively and they're not giving us anything to attack and they're getting a few edges, which is something we're not.

"So, I think more than our batting they're just bowling really well and they're on top of their games and they're champion bowlers."

Oram, who scored a majestic unbeaten 126 in New Zealand's first innings in Brisbane with 12 fours and three sixes, said the going may be tough, but he is relishing the challenge.

"I can't comment for the other 14 guys in the squad, but for me coming over here was always going to be very tough and I was under no illusions as to how tough it was going to be," he said.

"Obviously, the results aren't what I expected or hoped for but the type of cricket and how hard it is, is exactly how hard I thought it was going to be and that's why I'm enjoying it the most.

"I spent three weeks in Bangladesh prior to this and this leaves it for dead ... we're losing and in Bangladesh we were winning inside four days ... so I'm just loving being here.

"It's tough, it's bloody hard, but it's not hard to get up, if it is it would almost be like 'hang your boots up' and 'you're not made for it'."