Black Caps seamer Tim Southee is on Zimbabwean soil for the first time and raring to tackle the locals after a promising warm-up performance in Harare.
"We played some pretty good cricket over the three days," said Southee of the team's demolition of a Zimbabwe A side by 259 runs.
"The week we spent in Victoria was well worth it, coming out of our winter. We really hit the ground running when we got to Harare for that three day game, and I think it really showed in our performance in that three day game."
Southee was well aware of the low and slow conditions likely to be encountered in Bulawayo where the first Test against Zimbabwe commences Thursday night (NZT).
"It's going to be the long game," he said. "Things aren't going to happen quickly."
"It's going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of toil, especially from the pace bowlers."
"For me personally it's the first time to play in a Test in Africa. It's exciting and it's great to back among the Test boys."
Newshub.
