In stark contrast to when New Zealand overcame England in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup, the first two games of the Royal London One-Day International series have been played to the highest quality by both sides.

The Black Caps levelled the series with a 13-run Duckworth Lewis Method win in the second ODI but all wasn’t straightforward for the visitors in their bid to defend 398-5.

Captain Brendon McCullum believes England are a completely different side to the one that won just two games a couple of months ago and relishes the challenge over the remaining three ODIs.

“It was terrifying at times thinking that we had got 400 and that it really should be plenty but this England side are playing a completely different brand of cricket than we have seen from them over a period of time,” he said.

“I thought it was an outstanding game and great credit has to go to England for taking us as close as they did. Neither team deserved to really lose the game.

“It is going to be a great series. I said after the last game that we would see some cliffhangers with how the teams are playing and it will be great viewing.

“I am sure the crowd will have loved the game and will be excited for the remaining three games to come with the series level at 1-1.”

An unbeaten 119 from Ross Taylor and 93 from Kane Williamson guided the visitors to the mammoth score on the back of a quickfire 39 from McCullum.

Taylor’s knock was to prove the difference between the two sides but McCullum praised the entire team for their performance in picking up the vital win.

“Kane was outstanding and we were looking at around 350 until Ross came in and stepped up the momentum through key partnerships with Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi,” he said.

“When those guys can come in and have a player at the other end who is already 100 from 70 balls it gives them greater freedom to score quickly.

“The bowlers held their nerve at the end as it is not easy when you score 400 and the team still keep coming at you as hard as they can.

“We had to work hard to stay in front of England and it was a tough day for the bowlers but they stood up, took the attack and came out on top.”