Hussain optimistic ahead of NZ tour

Two teams coming off successful series make England's one-day and Test series against New Zealand a mouth-watering prospect, England captain Nasser Hussain said on Tuesday.

Hussain made his comments at an airport press conference on his squad's arrival in Auckland fresh from India, where England won a thrilling final one day international against India on Sunday to square the series at 3-3 after being 3-1 down.

Also in form, New Zealand play the first of a best-of-three final against South Africa in Melbourne on Wednesday after the two sides advanced ahead of the hosts in Australia's annual triangular one-day series.

"Both sides are playing well," Hussain said. "Series between us and New Zealand have always been close in the past.

"New Zealand are on the up and have a core of fine players, while we are a young side still learning and we learnt a lot and did very well in India.

"Both countries are in similar positions in world cricket, so everything points towards a fantastic one-day and Test series," he added.

When asked how he felt about Australia's poor showing in their own tournament, Hussain said: "We didn't really want New Zealand to do too well and be on a high when the play us, but than again we didn't want Australia to win."

Hussain said he hoped the interest in New Zealand's showing in Australia would have a positive effect on England's tour, saying it was always best to play in front of big attendances with a good atmosphere.

Told that New Zealand was likely to have groups of people to take on England's famed Barmy Army in the noise stakes, Hussain said they had not come across many of the Barmy Army in India.

"I know for certain that lots of them are coming over here, so opposing armies of fans sounds good," he said. "Anything that adds to the atmosphere is good."

England's first match action are two one-day matches against Northern Districts in Hamilton on Friday and Sunday, before moving to Christchurch for the first of five one-day internationals on February 13.

The first of three Tests, also in Christchurch, starts on March 13 and Hussain said it was important for England to get used to New Zealand conditions.

"We're on a bit of a high now but that will count for nothing if some of the young guys don't adapt to conditions that can't be further removed from that they faced in India," he said.

The England captain has fond memories of his last tour of New Zealand in 1996-97.

"We won the Test series 2-0 and would have got the lot if Danny Morrison and Nathan Astle not batted all day to save the match here [in Auckland]."

Mail Cricket Editor