Tim Ambrose is battling with Phil Mustard for the keeping slot

England captain Michael Vaughan has hinted that Warwickshire's Tim Ambrose will beat Phil Mustard to the wicketkeeper's slot in the Test side.

Mustard is the keeper in one-day internationals but Vaughan says Ambrose is set to get the nod for the First Test with New Zealand on 5 March.

"Ambrose is slightly ahead of Colonel for the Test spot," he said. "Also he's not played any cricket on the tour.

"That's why he's playing in this current tour game."

Ambrose had an excellent season for The Bears in 2007.

He topped the first class batting averages at Edgbaston with 858 runs - including a career best 251 not out against Worcestershire.

His one-day record last summer was no less impressive. In the Friends Provident Trophy he averaged 87 and hit two hundreds in The Bears' run to the semi-finals.

Both Ambrose and Mustard are playing in England's final warm-up game before the First Test.

Ambrose is being used as a specialist batsman but was out for just 2 in England's first innings against a New Zealand Invitation XI in Dunedin.