Belief - that's the new found quality New Zealand will be taking into tomorrow's first National Bank Test against Bangladesh at Hamilton's WestpacTrust Park.

After the competitive series against Australia, and with key players back into their games after injuries, captain Stephen Fleming has a much more settled unit to work with.

Their confidence is on a high and that doesn't spell good news for the Test newcomers from Bangladesh.

Daniel Vettori, Dion Nash and Chris Cairns had increased the mental depth in the side, and Fleming especially singled out Vettori saying that despite his youth at 22 the level of attitude he brought to the side was impressive.

"Having them back is huge and they breed belief among the other players. Some of them who may have had mediocre 12 months will rise with the others back," he said.

With the pitch looking to have the usual greenness associated with Hamilton, Fleming's inclination a day out from the toss being made at around 11.30am tomorrow for the 12 noon start, was to bowl first.

Given the Bangladesh inexperience in the conditions, and in Test cricket, that is an option he could easily afford.

"It's very unusual for a New Zealand team to be in this position," he said.

New Zealand would be looking to continue the work done in Australia and would not be looking to beat Bangladesh quickly, rather it would be looking to do the job professionally.

"We respect these guys and we won't go out of our way to push things.

"I have no doubt they will be a force in a number of years, we respect their position and where they are at.

"We want to win our 48th and 49th Test victories and have 50 on the line against England," he said.

It had been a difficult 12 months for New Zealand, especially with the injury situation, but that had allowed a new group of players to be introduced to international cricket and that would have benefits of depth in selection but also in improving the all-important first-class scene in the country.

There was a chance New Zealand would look to rotate players in the side and implement a policy of picking a team that would best do the job for it.

The mood in the New Zealand side was very good, the anticipation for the Test matches was very good and the side was delighted to be at home again.

The match would also be a good test for Mathew Sinclair who was under pressure more than at any time previously in his career.

"Mathew is a quality player but he is going through something every player goes through.

"He has the mental strength but he has to cope with outside pressures as well as those out in the middle," he said.

Fleming said he was happy with the role Cairns played in Australia and he acknowledged that he was under done but there had been nothing more he could do to get himself ready for Australia.

He had picked up a five-wicket bag in the first Test in Brisbane but got frustrated afterwards.

"We expect high standards and so does he," he said.

Cairns would keep working until everything was right and the work he had done to get into shape had been superb.

The game is starting at 12 noon, a time that recognises the likely appeal to office workers able to catch the last session of the day when their work is complete, and also the longer hours of light available at this time of year.

© CricInfo