Cricket: Kane Williamson chuffed to be test skipper

New Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Kane Williamson will become New Zealand's 29th test captain tonight in the first match against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo - but insists he hasn't given it much thought.

He follows Brendon McCullum, who retired after the home series against Australia in February. Williamson is leading New Zealand in all three forms of the game and is relishing the prospect.

''We've been so consumed with our preparation that I haven't thought too much about it," Williamson, the world's No 3-ranked batsman said.

''It's an exciting opportunity and I'm privileged to get the opportunity."

He's happy to be in charge of a side making good progress in the test rankings. The focus is very much on continuing the progress which has them up to No 5 and well ensconced should a change to a two-division test format come to pass.

''The focus is to try and get better day in day out in so many different conditions against different opposition. You have to adapt and think on your feet to continue to improve," he said.

Zimbabwe, rooted to the bottom of the test ladder and without having played a test for 20 months, can be awkward opponents in their own conditions. In the most recent test in Bulawayo, in 2011, New Zealand had to work hard for their victory on the final afternoon.

''Certainly Zimbabwe are well equipped in these conditions. You don't get pace and bounce like other parts of the world but you do have to skin it another way."

However New Zealand's focus will primarily be on themselves, Williamson added.

''Yes we'll do our scouting and try to gain an advantage there but at the same time it's important we worry about our own skill sets."