New Zealand won't be falling into the trap of getting ideas above their station going into the second National Bank Test against India at Hamilton tomorrow.

New Zealand lead the two-Test series 1-0 and only need a draw to take the series and to strengthen their position as the third-ranked Test side in the world.

Weather permitting that is. Rain in Hamilton today prevented both teams from getting some outdoor practice again. More rain is forecast tomorrow, although conditions are said to be improving.

However, the two teams could at least say that one of the benefits of the early finish in the first Test in Wellington last weekend was that both teams were able to take advantage of open wicket practice at the Basin Reserve in fine weather conditions.

But TelstraClear Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming said his side wasn't in a position to be complacent.

"We're a side that is very realistic about our abilities and what we need to do to achieve, which is very thorough planning and very thorough preparation to execute those plans.

"Winning the Test would reflect our position and would be a good reflection of our last 12 months of cricket. Over the last 12-18 months we have played good cricket," he said.

Despite the ease of their 10-wicket win in the first Test, Fleming said New Zealand's respect for the Indians had not diminished at all.

"We respect the quality of the opposition we are playing.

"We know we are going to have to play very well to put them under pressure again. We're confident of doing that, but we are also very wary that if we don't do it, we know what damage they can do," he said.

Fleming said in answer to a question about whether New Zealand could get up to No 1 or 2 on the Test ladder that he felt the Black Caps were a world-beater as a side, but were not consistent enough to be in the top position for any length of time.

But it was exciting that New Zealand was in a position to sometimes beat the best teams in the world and he was looking forward to the challenges ahead of the side in the next 12 months which include tours to Sri Lanka (April-May), India (September-October), and then hosting Pakistan and South Africa next summer.

"There's a couple of big challenges on the subcontinent.

"If we're to be a world-quality side and deserving of a top ranking, we've got to play really well in all conditions. These ones favour us because we've played and practised in them a little longer," he said of this series against India.

"But come the next two series we play, we're going to have to work very hard to adapt our style.

"At the moment it's [NZ's third ranking] is very reflective of where we stand and come the next 12 months it is going to be very difficult to maintain and go higher in the rankings," he said.

© CricInfo