New Zealand will take momentum from their dramatic one-run win over England into this week's first Test against Sri Lanka, who could reach the ICC World Test Championship final with a 2-0 series sweep.

Tim Southee's hosts became just the fourth team to win a Test after following on as they secured a draw in the two-match series against England. 

The series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship period (2021-23) and Sri Lanka still have an outside chance of reaching June's decider should they complete a 2-0 scoreline, but Southee is aiming to make it as difficult as possible for the tourists to achieve.

Southee is instead focusing on his team's preparations and ensuring they take all the momentum from the England series into the visit of Sri Lanka.

"It has been great to have the amount of people who have been talking about Test cricket, to see the Basin Reserve filled for five days was great to be a part of," Southee said.

"I think, just in general, the guys are pleased to see people talking about Test cricket. And Test cricket being exciting. England have played their part in that, over the last year or so. The guys still see Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game.

"It is a match that will be talked about for a long time, but they are a very humble group. Now our focus will shift to Sri Lanka.

"We are obviously out of the Test Championship, and they have got plenty to play for over the next two weeks."

New Zealand's preparations for the series have not been entirely straight forward, with key quick Kyle Jamieson remaining sidelined due to the back injury he picked up in England last year.

Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne's side have extra incentive this time.

They can reach the WTC final against Australia with a 2-0 series triumph, providing India fail to beat Australia in the final Test in Ahmedabad, which also begins Thursday.

Sri Lanka are an improving and more consistent side under Chris Silverwood, who took over as head coach in April last year.

They beat Bangladesh 1-0 away and drew 1-1 at home with both Australia and Pakistan, all in two-Test series, since the former England fast bowler's appointment.

Their hopes of qualifying for the showpiece at The Oval in June were boosted when Australia clinched their place by winning the third Test against India in Indore inside three days last week.

"To get to the WTC final would be unbelievable," Silverwood said.

"But at the same time we know we've got a very good New Zealand team in front of us as well and we have to respect that, work hard, and try and earn that right."