9 Jun 2015

Black Caps to stay positive

10:54 am on 9 June 2015

New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum says they hope to carry on in the same vein as their World Cup campaign when they take on England in their one-day series.

The Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum during the one-day World Cup.

The Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum during the one-day World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

McCullum says their positive and energetic brand of cricket will be continued in the 5-match series which starts at Edgbaston tonight.

He says the way they went about it throughout the World Cup gives them a good chance and, hopefully, on the back of a pretty good test series they'll play a similar style and can continue to build on that.

New Zealand had an unbeaten run to the cricket world cup final, including a crushing 8 wicket victory over England in pool play in Wellington.

Bowler Tim Southee, who took 7 wickets in that game against England, is expected to miss tonight's game in Birmingham.

The Black Caps fast bowler Tim Southee.

The Black Caps fast bowler Tim Southee. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

McCullum says Southee is likely to sit out the game because of his workload in the Test series.

Meanwhile all-rounder Corey Anderson, who missed the second Test with a back problem, is also struggling to be fit in time.

That could open the way for the Northern Districts allrounder Mitchell Santner, a left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner, to make his ODI debut.

Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mitchell McClenaghan and Ben Wheeler could both play alongside Trent Boult and Matt Henry.

Meanwhile McCullum expects a new-look England squad to match their aggressive style.

Following a dismal World Cup campaign, England are resting key players, including fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, for the series.

Young seamer Mark Wood, destructive top-order batsman Alex Hales and wicketkeeper Sam Billings will hope to get the chance to impress.

McCullum says he likes the look of England's squad, saying it's exciting.

He says it's obviously a little bit raw, but full of talented players who are aggressive with bat and ball.

McCullum says England have got some dangerous players and judging by the comments coming out of their camp, he says, they're looking forward to branching out.

The two sides fought out a gripping 1-1 draw in the test series, with England winning the first match at Lord's before the Kiwis struck back to seal a comprehensive victory at Headingley last week.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.