Cricket: Taylor wants NZ to carry on momentum

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor doesn't want his side to bask in the glory of last month's Hobart heroics for ever and is expecting a big performance against Zimbabwe in Napier this week.

The Black Caps' pulsating seven-run win over Australia broke droughts and records, but with South Africa touring next month, beating Zimbabwe in the one-off test, which starts tomorrow is a must.

"We've got to build on the momentum we've gained from the Hobart test," Taylor said. "We don't want to dine off that for years to come, we know we created history but we want to get consistent performances. What better place to start than our first home game of the season."

New Zealand confirmed a predictable XI for the test today that will see BJ Watling behind the stumps ahead of Kruger van Wyk, with squad bolter Sam Wells the designated water boy.

As expected, Daniel Vettori will bat at No 6 with the four-prong seam attack ready to pounce on a green McLean Park deck, which has been known in the past to produce dour draws although that isn't likely to be the case this time around.

Taylor shed some light on the Watling call and said the 26-year-old from Northern Districts had the opportunity to make the wicketkeeping position his own.

"I guess every time you select someone there's the hope they take the spot and can fill it for years to come," Taylor said.

"I think BJ always had the inside running. The way he kept in Gisborne was promising and he had a good knock with the bat in the first innings.

"It was always going to be BJ but it was nice to see him score some runs and keep pretty well."

Watling made 84 from No 6 in the three-day tour match during the weekend in Gisborne, but will bat at seven this week in what will be his seventh test.

After keeping in a handful of limited overs games for New Zealand the match will mark the first time Watling has kept in a test.

With Vettori at No 6 the acid will go on the top order to perform after they were inconsistent during the drawn test series against Australia in December.

Dean Brownlie will move up a spot to No 5 following the calf injury to Jesse Ryder, which has forced Kane Williamson to first drop.

Zimbabwe pushed New Zealand close in a one-off test in Bulawayo in November, where it took a top effort from debutant Doug Bracewell to spur the Black Caps to victory.

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor, who has spent the past month in New Zealand as part of Wellington's HRV Cup squad, said his side took plenty of heart from that close encounter with the Kiwis.

"I think in the five days of test cricket we didn't have a bad day. We just probably lost in the last session on day five," Taylor said.

"But we know we are on the right track if we can bat 130 to 140 overs, which we have been doing in the last three test matches and take it deep in the fifth day; or at least get on to the fifth day we are heading in the right direction. So it's all huge positives to take out for us and if we can replicate that here we will be happy with that."

Zimbabwe, who aren't officially ranked by the ICC because they haven't played enough tests recently, had a fully-fit squad to choose from and were to have a selection meeting tonight to confirm their playing XI.