New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe at McLean Park in Napier on Thursday.

New Zealand lead the series 2-0 after two comprehensive victories over Zimbabwe and go into the match heavy favourites to complete a whitewash.

The tourists endured a crushing defeat in a one-off Test at the same venue last month but Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said his side could not afford to dwell on the loss.

"I'd like to think that's all gone, we've got a massive job to do today and I'd like to think we'd keep improving," he said.

New Zealand have handed a debut to seamer Michael Bates and relegated Kyle Mills to 12th man, with batsman Dean Brownlie ruled out through injury.

Teams

New Zealand: Rob Nicol, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (captain), Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Andrew Ellis, Jacob Oram, Doug Bracewell, Tarun Nethula, Michael Bates, Kyle Mills (12th man).

Zimbabwe: Tinotenda Mawoyo, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Brendan Taylor (capt), Tatenda Taibu, Malcolm Waller, Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis, Keegan Meth (12th man)

Umpires: Enamul Haque (BAN) Gary Baxter (NZL)

TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)