New Zealand out to emulate 2021 heroes with World Test Championship push

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is hoping his side can emulate their heroics from 2021 and claim a second ICC World Test Championship title at Lord's next year.

World Test Championship Standings

The Black Caps have come roaring back into contention of claiming a top two place on the standings and reaching next year's decider courtesy of consecutive victories over India and can inch even closer to cementing a berth by clinching a series-sweep over the Asian side when the third Test commences in Mumbai on Friday.

A victory there will provide the Kiwis with momentum ahead of their final three matches of the current cycle - a home series against England that commences at the end of next month - and Stead believes his side is improving with every outing.

"Yeah I mean a series win in itself (over India) is incredible but what we want to do is keep trying to get better every game and we're going to different circumstances now - the red clay (in Mumbai) is very different," Stead said.

"The way that it performs is different, so we're going to have to adapt quickly and our next two trainings are going to be important, but for the World Test Championship itself there's no doubt that one more win here would certainly help us."

Watch: New Zealand seal World Test Championship Final

New Zealand famously won seven matches on the trot on their way to winning the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021 and Stead wants his current crop of players to take some inspiration from the group that tasted success in Southampton three years ago.

"I remember the first time we were in the situation of qualifying for the first World Test Championship (Final) and we had to win four Tests on the bounce and managed to," Stead said.

"So, hopefully there's some sort of similes to that that we can lean on and say, 'Well, we've done it before, here's an opportunity to perhaps do something very special again'."

WATCH: Kane Williamson in form at 2021 World Test Championship Final

While key batter Kane Williamson will miss the series finale against India due to a groin complaint, Stead is confident the experienced right-hander will be fit and feature in the series at home against England later this year.

"At a push we could have got him over here (India) immediately, but considering I guess the travel factor and making sure that you can actually recover properly when you get here, we didn't feel though that was worth the risk. So we're happy with having him ready and very, very confident he'll be right for that first Test versus England," Stead said.

"Look, it's always disappointing when he's not over here with us. I mean, he's New Zealand's greatest Test run-scorer for a reason, and I think whenever you have Kane in your side, it looks a stronger side. But the guys have gone really well.

"We've adapted well without him here. The best thing for Kane is just to get himself completely right for England and we're certainly looking forward to him coming back and hopefully making a difference in that Test series over there for us."