Tim Ambrose has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of making his Test debut for England.
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Tim Ambrose has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of making his Test debut for England.
The Warwickshire wicketkeeper looks set to be handed the gloves for the first Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park, starting on Wednesday.
It has been England's problem position since the retirement of Alec Stewart in 2003, with Chris Read, Geraint Jones and Matt Prior all having been tried in the role without managing to convince over a long period of time.
Ambrose grew up in New South Wales before coming to England as a teenager to play club cricket. He then joined Sussex, helping them to the county championship in 2003, before moving on to Warwickshire two years later.
"Making my Test debut will mean a great deal to me," he said.
"I was talking to Stuart Broad last night about that and he was telling me about his debut in Colombo.
"It was sending shivers down my spine the way he was talking about it.
"He was very proud of the moment and I'm sure I'll feel the same way."
Rust
Ambrose was also part of England's one-day squad in New Zealand, but was understudy to Phil Mustard and did not get a game.
But those roles are expected to be reversed during the three-match Test series after Ambrose was preferred in the final warm-up against the New Zealand Select XI in Dunedin, which ended in a draw on Saturday.
"It's been quite strange being around cricket for a month or so without actually getting into the middle and facing some bowlers and catching the ball behind the stumps," he admitted.
"It was a good opportunity this week and good to get a bit of the rust out, which was the idea of the games, so that was very useful."
England enjoyed a rest day on Sunday after travelling to Hamilton.
Paul Collingwood, who aggravated a right hamstring strain against the NZ Select XI, has made good progress and is expected to be given the all-clear for the first Test.
The tourists are also hopeful left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who sat out the three-day match due to a right hamstring strain, will be available for selection.
But fast bowler
Chris Tremlett has already returned home after sustaining a side strain in Dunedin. England are not planning to fly out a replacement.
