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Broom sweeps aside form concerns

Black Caps batsman not concerned by recent low scores as he readies for a Test debut

Black Caps batsman Neil Broom is trying to put the recent past behind him as he prepares for a likely Test debut against South Africa in Wellington.

The Otago middle-order batsman was called into the New Zealand squad for the second Test beginning on Thursday as replacement for the injured Ross Taylor.

He has already faced the Proteas this summer, but managed scores of just 2, 2 and 0 in the one-day series in February.

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For Broom, it was a particularly disappointing return given his career-high 109 not out and 97 against Bangladesh, and a half-century against Australia in one-dayers earlier in the season.

"At the end of the day, you have highs and lows in the game," he said on Tuesday.

"I'm just looking forward to getting out there and forgetting about that one-day series, starting again and doing what I do, hopefully batting at four."

Broom has played 30 ODIs and 11 Twenty20 matches for New Zealand.

He admits there'll be a bit of nerves if he does get the chance to head out at the Basin Reserve for his first Test cap.

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But the 33-year-old doesn't lack experience at first-class level, having made 136 appearances.

He has an average of 39.28 and has racked up 18 centuries, including a top score of 203 not out.

"It's felt like a long time but it's finally here, or hopefully, so I'm looking forward to it," he said of Test selection.

"There were a couple times when I felt like it I got close. I think it was out of me and a couple of other players. When push came to shove I missed out, which was a bit disappointing, but here I am now."

Taylor was ruled out after suffering a low grade tear to his right calf while batting in the drawn first Test in Dunedin.

He is considered a possibility for the third match in Hamilton.