Black Caps coach Rob Walter Photo: RIZWAN TABASSUM / AFP
The Black Caps are set to play their first series under new coach Rob Walter in Zimbabwe, starting on Wednesday night.
New Zealand are in southern Africa for a T20 Tri-Series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa, before playing two tests against Zimbabwe.
Walter took over as head coach from Gary Stead last month.
Mitchell Santner captains the T20 side, while Tom Latham will lead the test side.
Santner said Walter had settled into the side very easily.
"We've been chatting a lot leading into this tour and he's been around domestic teams in New Zealand (coached both Otago and Central Districts)," Santner said on the eve of their first game.
"He's bringing in a fresh way to approach things, which has been good for this group."
Walter is a South African and had helped the Proteas' white-ball sides over the last couple of years.
Photo: AFP
Santner said while they knew the South African players well, Walter's insight would help.
"If you have a coach that has been in a few different environments then they're going to pick up on things that a team does or does not do well, and Rob has shared his views on both.
"The great thing about Rob is that he is very personable with everyone and he'll tell you straight, and that's all the players really want.
"It's great to have that inside knowledge on how we are going to play and how [opposition sides] may operate at times."
It was a long time since New Zealand had been in Zimbabwe. They last played a test there in 2016, and limited-overs games in 2015.
New Zealand players involved in the Major League final in the US - Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman - won't be involved in the opening game as they only arrive in the country a few hours before.
That means the three players that were called in as cover - Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay and Tim Robinson - could get a callup for the game against South Africa.
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening game of the tri-series, with debutant Rubin Hermann top scoring with 45.
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