How keen to start converting starts

Jamie How is hoping for some long stays at the crease on the upcoming tour of Bangladesh as he aims to shelve a frustrating reputation for failing to convert starts. How will have few better opportunities than opening in the two-Test series and he knows it would be the perfect time to strike his maiden Test century.

In the past year, since establishing himself as one of the side's preferred openers, How has posted three half-centuries and another four innings in the 29 to 44 range. His best effort of 92 came in March against England in Hamilton and How is keen to reach triple figures in Bangladesh.

"It's funny my career started off with me not being able to get a start and now I'm getting starts reasonably consistently but not kicking on to better things," How told the Dominion Post. "It's a nicer problem.

"It's a progression, but something I'm focusing on and something I have to address if I'm going to crack that hundred. I've spoken to some senior players about it and the feeling is I've just got to get the right rhythm in my batting."

How is likely to open with Aaron Redmond in Bangladesh, where the relatively inexperienced batting line-up will probably feature the uncapped Jesse Ryder at No. 3 and the developing Ross Taylor at No. 4. How hopes the Bangladesh games will provide New Zealand's batting order with a chance to settle and post some big totals.

"Batting long periods is where we have let ourselves down in the past," he said. "This is the chance to harden us up as a batting unit."

New Zealand's players were departing on Tuesday for Bangladesh, where they will play a three-game ODI series before the two Tests. How said New Zealand should win but it was important they stamped out any complacency before playing the world's weakest Test nation, which this month lost several players to the ICL.

"It's not going to be as easy as everyone thinks," he said. "If we play well the results should go our way, but Bangladesh have tipped over Australia and other countries, so in their own paddock they can be a problem. I know they have lost a couple of players lately and, to be honest, I'm not up to speed with all their new names but they've got a big player base."