New Zealand v England: Kiwis not playing for draws, says McCullum

Brendon McCullum has rubbished claims New Zealand are playing for draws, with the Kiwis currently tied with England after stalemates in the opening two Tests.

The tourists’ bid to win the second Test in Wellington ended after a washout on the final day, much to the frustration of Alastair Cook’s men.

England recovered from a disastrous second day in the first Test in Dunedin to hold the Kiwis to a draw, with the series now set to be decided by the third and final Test which starts on Thursday.

“If you’ve seen the way we’ve played in the last two Tests we’ve been reasonably proactive,” McCullum said.

“We go into every game trying to win, it’s not about hanging on for a draw. We see it as a great opportunity to clinch a series win against England, which is something we’d all hold very fondly.”

On Sunday, England bowling coach David Saker criticised the Wellington wicket after the tourists were left frustrated by a slow pitch which hindered their attack.

However, McCullum hopes the Auckland wicket plays the same as in the two previous Tests, with the Kiwi skipper blaming the weather for the opening two draws.

“I’ve read and heard a lot about our pitches being too flat. It seems to be bowling coaches who have an issue with them. It’s always going to be the way,” he added.

“If you look at the first Test we lost a whole day to rain and there would have been a result in that game and in this Test as well we’ve lost a day and a half to rain and it would have been interestingly poised. There would probably have been a result, too.

“It’s not three or four-day Tests, it’s five-day grinding wickets were you have to work incredible hard for your fruits but I don’t see anything wrong with our wickets and they have certainly allowed both teams periods of dominance. For me, I’d like a wicket similar to these last two [in Auckland].”