New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor says they'll take a lot of confidence into today's second Test against Pakistan in Hamilton knowing that the Black Caps are a tough side to beat at home.
New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Caps won the first Test in Christchurch by eight wickets, but the home side is coming off the back of two heavy Test series defeats in South Africa and India.
Taylor - who will have eye surgery after this game - said they can be encouraged by similar conditions in Hamilton.
"You know cricket's a lot about confidence and a lot about momentum and losing those Tests (against South Africa and India) you're going to be a little bit deflated, but I think it was nice to be back in familiar surroundings and winning the Test.
"I think the familiar conditions shows our pace attack is world class in these conditions and hopefully we can extract whatever swing and bounce and seam this wicket produces," Taylor said.
The Black Caps pace attack suffered a setback yesterday when it was announced Trent Boult will miss the Hamilton game due to a recurring knee injury.
Matt Henry is the likely replacement for Boult.
The news could be even better for Henry, as Taylor said he believed the wicket would suit the bowlers, as it did in Christchurch.
"Yeah, it looks a little bit lighter than Christchurch.
"It's always got a bit of bounce on that side of the wicket. We've played here against Sri Lanka in December last year and it had a bit of bounce and a bit of carry and I think it'll swing around a bit more than it did in Christchurch. I'm sure the swing bowlers from both teams will look forward to that."
Pakistan are on the verge of losing their first Test series in New Zealand in 30 years, but Taylor said he expected the visitors to offer a bit more in Hamilton after going into the first Test cold.
"Not having a warm-up game, coming in straight after pretty flat wickets in the United Arab Emirates, I think they'll definitely be better for it.
"It's a big miss not having their captain Misbah-Ul-Haq their captain whose been an outstanding leader for them over the past three or four years.
"Azhar Ali is going to captain for which will add a little bit more pressure to him being one of their senior batsmen also but no I think they'll definitely be better for it," Taylor said.
The Test is due to get underway at 11am but rain was forecast for Hamilton.
-RNZ