Ambrose took six catches in England's two warm-up matches

On the eve of the first Test against New Zealand, he has revealed he will also see his mother for the first time in several years just before the match.

Mum Sally arrives in Hamilton late on Tuesday, the day before the Test begins (play starting at 2130 GMT on Tuesday).

"I haven't seen my mum for a few years because she's living in Australia," said the Warwickshire star.

Interview: England wicket keeper Tim Ambrose

"My dad came over in the summer to visit me but I'm looking forward to seeing both of them.

"It's quite a trek [to Australia] and my winters have been a bit busy the last few years so I haven't managed to get back."

Ambrose was born in New South Wales, but came to England to forge a cricket career and made his first-class debut for Sussex in 2001.

But Sussex then had two impressive wicket-keepers on their books - the other being Matt Prior - so Ambrose moved to Warwickshire, where his batting has taken off.

606: DEBATE Mustard played in the one dayers and isn't rusty like Ambrose is nobleCricketLover

Ironically, the failure of Prior to maintain his early success after making his Test debut in the summer of 2007, has given Ambrose a chance to showcase his credentials.

He said: "Making my Test debut will mean a great deal to me.

"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."

Ambrose played no part in the one-day series, where Phil Mustard was preferred, before eventually appearing in two warm-up matches in Dunedin.

"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 said.

"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."

He produced scores of 2, 12 and 33 in the two matches and kept tidily, taking six catches.

Ambrose will become the fourth keeper used in Tests by England since Alec Stewart retired in 2003.

Chris Read, Geraint Jones and Prior have all been tried but none could hold onto their place in the side.