New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and one of his lieutenants Craig McMillan will be looking to home town inspiration to get their batting season back on track when taking on India in the third National Bank Series match at Jade Stadium in Christchurch tomorrow.

They are both overdue for some runs, and showed their own concerns by making failed attempts to use State Shield domestic matches yesterday to try and up their exposure to bowling out in the middle.

Fleming said McMillan had been practising well and he felt he might be only a cover drive or two away from regaining his touch.

"It has been a tentative summer for the majority of us. A few cobwebs were blown out by a couple of players in the last game and it would be nice to have another couple doing it this game," he said.

"He's got experience and is a world-class player on his day which we've seen with some of his performances. He'll be looking forward to getting on his home stadium tomorrow and getting away. He's that type of player that once he gets away he is tough to stop."

As for himself, Fleming said he was keen to get some time in the middle because batsmen did get tentative when the ball was zipping around a little.

"I missed out in the last game and I want to make the most of Jade Stadium and the rest of the summer," he said.

New Zealand were keen to continue their winning momentum because they had a lot of ground to make up, and they were aware that they have not been good at holding onto leads in similar circumstances to where they find themselves now.

Two seasons ago they had to come from behind to beat Pakistan 3-2 and last year they went into the last match tied 2-2 with England, having won the first two games. They won the final to take the series.

Fleming said winning wasn't a habit yet, but they were keen to make it one.

Shane Bond's absence tomorrow was a blow but caution was the word to stress, Fleming said with the World Cup in mind.

"We need him in South Africa if we are to win the World Cup. It would be nice to have him here to win this series but what we are finding is guys are stepping up at a very pressure-packed time and doing the job for us. So while it is a loss, the guys are responding very well to that absence," he said.

Michael Mason had bowled well throughout the summer and his call-up was just reward for some good work.

"We're very keen to win this one tomorrow and continue the good habits we are developing," he said.

New Zealand were expecting India to click some time soon and they would be doing their best to combat them when they do find their touch. There was nothing to suggest they couldn't continue doing what they have done in the first two games, in tomorrow's game.

"We've bowled very well, Daryl Tuffey has set the standard in the first over, and we'll continue that momentum. Our job is to keep them down, and if they do get away it is to hold them to a score under ours that is competitive."

New Zealand had started 12 months ago in setting the criteria for the World Cup, and now with injuries, there was a core of players capable of coming in and out of the side as required and doing the job asked of them.

Fielding was going to be a key component of the World Cup, especially for a team like New Zealand which had the ability in the field which could be an edge.

The side was working very hard to keep improving in that area.

"We did a great job in the last game. There are still some fielders to make their mark. Lou Vincent and Mathew Sinclair are two who will have parts to play during the rest of the series," he said.

© CricInfo