New Zealand's quest to build on their ICC KnockOut winning success and build towards the 2003 World Cup starts in Taupo on Tuesday.

A new year has brought a new team and selectors and fans alike will be hoping it brings more consistent fortune from a team which has failed to build a winning record in One-Day Internationals while getting its game back together in Test match play.

Three ODIs against Zimbabwe, followed by five each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, have to be the forerunner to success, especially in Australia next summer where New Zealand will be pitted against Australia and South Africa, arguably the best two one-day sides in the world.

Selection convener Sir Richard Hadlee has been firm in his statements that New Zealand are building a team for 2003 while captain Stephen Fleming is keen for some payback for the side's 1-2 loss in Zimbabwe.

"They beat us very well over there. We had a little pay back in Kenya," Fleming said.

One of the most interesting aspects of the day-night game at the central North Island tourist resort is how his latest bowling ace, Chris Martin, handles one-day play.

"Chris is simplistic in his methods. He operates with a good intensity and with the new ball can take wickets," Fleming said.

Another aspect of the game will be the role played by leg-spinner Brooke Walker who is seen as a multi-dimensional player. But his biggest job in the match will be getting his bowling into a more consistent mode than he achieved in the Test just completed at the Basin Reserve where he lacked the accuracy and control to pressure the Zimbabwe batsmen.

Coach David Trist said the side overall was looking to get better in all areas.

"We know Zimbabwe are a very useful side and they cannot be under-rated. Their international standard is recognised, particularly in the one-day game so we've got to be at our best to win the series 3-0, and that is our objective."

Most encouraging for New Zealand is the sight of Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle, two of the side's key one-day batsmen, back among the runs and McMillan said after the Test in Wellington that he was now looking forward to the one-day series.

"The style I played was positive and that's what I want to take into the one-day game," he said.

"I had a little bit of success in Zimbabwe and Nairobi, I was a little bit disappointed with my form in South Africa so there is a bit to work on and this has been a good start to the season."

Zimbabwe have their own reason to want to perform well as their immediate goal after the New Zealand series is to continue the West Indian humiliations in Australia and head them off for a place in the finals of the Carlton Series.

But they would like to win in New Zealand and not just use the matches as warm-ups for the bigger mission ahead.

Skipper Heath Streak commented: "We've had some good close contests in the recent past. Both sides are good one-day sides. Hopefully, we can get our side back together and gel a side together for a useful one-day series."

Zimbabwe will also be able to select from a more reasonable complement of players as Derek Viljoen and Travis Friend will be back in contention.

"Results show we have been a little bit inconsistent in the one-day arena so it's something we'd obviously like to change. But it doesn't happen overnight," Streak said.

"A lot of other Test nations have taken a lot longer than we have to develop and win games. We'd obviously like to be more consistent and hopefully we are working towards it.

"We've got a very small player base but we are making strides forward at the moment.

"Every series is vital to us. How we do here is as important to us as is Australia. We've got to get out and get a bit of confidence and play to our game plan. It doesn't matter who we play New Zealand or Australia.

"Australia is a big stage and people are watching us all over the world and playing at places like the MCG is a dream come true for most of us. I don't think the guys will take these one-dayers any less seriously than when we are in Australia," Streak said.

Play is to start at 2pm (local time).

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