ESSEX wicketkeeper James Foster will be seeking out one man when the touring New Zealanders arrive at the Ford County Ground on Friday - Brendon McCullum.
The gloveman has set the cricketing world alight in recent months with his huge hitting, including a world record 158 not out for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) And Foster, who made his last England One-Day International appearance against the same opposition in Christchurch in February 2002, is planning to pick up a few tips from the flying Kiwi.
"What a player he is - his cricket is getting better and better," said the vice-captain.
"Brendon is a huge talent so it will be really good to see how he goes about his batting - will he continue to be ultra-positive like he's been in the IPL or look to rein himself in a little?
"Hopefully I'll get a chance to chat about a few bits and pieces with him on the keeping side during the game."
Foster returned for Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy win over Sussex after missing the LV County Championship defeat to Derbyshire with a thumb injury and is looking forward to taking on the touring side.
"I see this match as an opportunity to get time out in the middle and give my season a kick-start," added the 28-year-old.
"After missing the Derby game I see this as a chance to get some form for future four-day matches this season."
Essex have named a strong 12-man squad for the match, with seamers Maurice Chambers and Tony Palladino battling for the right to make their 2008 first eleven bows.
New signings David Masters and Chris Wright, who have featured in all four matches so far, have been rested, but the nine remaining players who took to the field in last week's LV County Championship clash with Derbyshire will be involved, including England opener Alastair Cook.
In-form Ravi Bopara, whose 520 runs in five innings this season have led to a call-up to the England Lions squad for next week's fixture against the Kiwis, is also in the squad.
However Graham Napier, who played for the Wellington Firebirds with Kiwi trio Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel and Mark Gillespie, is out with a knee injury.
New Zealand, who have had their preparations disrupted as rain ruined their warm-up games against the MCC and Kent, will welcome five players from IPL duty at Chelmsford.
Captain Daniel Vettori, vice-captain and wicketkeeper McCullum, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills will all feature, much to Foster's pleasure.
"It's fantastic that New Zealand will have their IPL players back for this match," he added.
"Their players will be looking to get rhythm and form ahead of the first Test as they've lost a lot of overs in their warm-up games so far.
"We will be approaching the game with victory in mind because we want to keep our winning momentum."
Essex: (from) Pettini (capt), Cook, Gallian, Westley, Bopara, ten Doeschate, Foster (wkt), Middlebrook, Tudor, Nel, Palladino, Chambers.
New Zealanders: (from) Vettori (capt), Flynn, Fulton, Hopkins, How, McCullum (wkt), Marshall, Martin, Mills, O'Brien, Oram, Patel, Redmond, Southee, Taylor, Gillespie, Mason.
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