Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum thinks patriotic cricket fans will forgive him for coaching England against New Zealand, as long as the two sides deliver an entertaining clash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I guess so," he told reporters in Hamilton Thursday when asked if it felt odd to wear England's cricket kit in his native New Zealand, "but it's nice to be here".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We're looking forward to the challenge in front of us with New Zealand."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 41-year-old retired from Test cricket in 2016 having scored nearly 6,500 runs for New Zealand in 101 Tests, including 12 centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Born in Dunedin at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, McCullum has enjoyed a dream start since taking over as England coach last May.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He helped engineer a home series win against South Africa plus a clean sweep of three Tests in Pakistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was also a famous Test win against India at Edgbaston last July, when England chased down a record 378 while losing just three wickets -- as well as a 3-0 series win over New Zealand on English soil last June.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's been a good start, definitely. Results have been great," McCullum said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Next up is his first tour in New Zealand as England coach with two Tests against the Black Caps, starting at Mount Maunganui next Thursday before a second in Wellington the following week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
McCullum, once one of the game's most entertaining players, does not expect a hostile reception from the Kiwi crowds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It should be alright, I would think. Obviously people are patriotic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Even if sometimes your own team doesn't win, you still walk away knowing you have had a hell of a day out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Hopefully that will be the case during this series."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand host England with new captain Tim Southee taking charge in his first home series since Kane Williamson stood down as skipper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Williamson will go head to head with England captain Ben Stokes in a highly anticipated clash between two of the world's best batters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
McCullum described Stokes as "the sort of guy who writes his own scripts and achieves some pretty special things".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Black Caps drew two Tests against Pakistan in January but managed only one victory from six limited-overs games against India earlier this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
McCullum was full of praise for Southee, who he played alongside for the Black Caps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n