New Zealand still positive despite the rain

New Zealand will be looking to get themselves into a strong position as quickly as possible as soon as the weather allows a start in the first National Bank Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton.

CLEAR Black Caps coach Denis Aberhart said New Zealand, who will bat first after Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud won the toss today before the rain set in, needed to be positive when batting.

The side needed to give themselves enough time to win the match but at the same time they still had to bat well first in conditions that will be helpful for the bowlers.

"The pitch is hard and the covers have done their work.

"By batting first we can control the pace of the game but it is still about being patient and not trying to push things too hard.

"The team is still positive," he said.

Depending on how the team started with the bat there were a number of possible options that could be implemented if that was felt necessary.

It would be important for New Zealand to score quickly enough, and then get early wickets to put the pressure on the Bangladeshis.

Aberhart expanded comments made by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming earlier this week about possibly developing a rotation selection process in the side. It was a possibility for bowlers as a means of keeping them fresh.

"It's a way of ensuring our players are not over-worked which perhaps they have been in the past because of a lack of depth.

"But there are a lot of issues associated with that. The guys have to be up to international level but it is a positive idea."

And Aberhart was heartened by the news of Dion Nash being back in form with both the bat and ball for his Auckland side in the State Championship competition after his century yesterday.

"It is tremendous that Dion is back in form, and he also bowled well."

With players getting runs it was great for the selectors who have to pick a second Test side and then a one-day team to compete in the tri-series with Australia and South Africa in January, he said.