Cricket: Test loss history: Taylor

The real test for Zimbabwe will be how much it can forget.

The touring side was comprehensively outplayed in the one-off test in Napier and is keen to put that performance behind it with a win in today's opening one-dayer at the University Oval.

Captain Brendan Taylor's policy has been to accentuate the positive and gloss over the negative.

"It did hurt a lot and we know we are a lot better than that. That was the most disappointing thing," Taylor said, when asked about the test loss.

"But it's gone. It is water under the bridge and we have to try and silence a few critics.

"This is a format that we are probably more suited to, so we are definitely looking forward to it and we know we are a lot more competitive in this area.

"The last ODI we played we won and that is what we've been discussing a lot in team meetings - leave all the negatives out and take what we did in Bulawayo in that third ODI and try and replicate some of those performances."

For those with short memories, Zimbabwe overhauled the Black Caps total of 328 for five in October to claim a fine victory.

Taylor played a fine innings of 75 and Malcolm Waller scored an undefeated 99 from 74 balls to help secure a dramatic one-wicket win.

But that was in Zimbabwe and Taylor expects the Black Caps will be a more daunting opponent on home soil.

"We have to try and block out the conditions. We are aware that they are going to produce wickets which might be a little bit grassy, so that is what it is all about. We are here to play good, hard cricket.

"If we get all three departments right ... we stand a chance of taking the game pretty close."

With the Black Caps likely to field three new caps, Zimbabwe will look to assert some pressure on the rookies.

"Hopefully, we can put them under a little bit of pressure. But we are going to have to be right on the money, because they have some quality players that will take the game away from you."