Excitement is building as the BLACKCAPS prepare to take on England at the Bay Oval on Thursday, in what will be the ground's first inaugural test match.

Local BLACKCAPS heroes Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme – all who live in the Mount area - were on hand on Monday to take a group of lucky kids through a variety of cricket skills and drills.

'Speaking to a lot of people and friends in the area, they are very excited about this,” says BLACKCAPS pace bowler Neil Wagner.

'As we have seen on the one dayers and the T20s before, they love getting a good crowd in, so it's pretty exciting to be part of it.”

Neil, who has played a few games at the oval a few weeks ago, says it has been quite a good wicket.

'It tends to be on the flatter side. There has always been a bit of a pace and bounce here you can work with.”

He says the Bay Oval has its own challenges with the wind that swirls around a bit and a few things you don't get anywhere else.

'But playing near and being able to wake up in your own bed is always an exciting prospect too.”

The BLACKCAPS are now in camp in Mount Maunganui and will train this afternoon ahead of the much anticipated match on Thursday.

Can you tell Trent Boult is excited to be playing a Test match at home?! #cricketnation #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/ADl5B8QFOC

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 18, 2019