Nathan predicts tough series between India and New Zealand

Dubai - McCullum hoped that Test cricket would retain its tradition despite ICC's plan to make it a four-day affair

Former New Zealand all-rounder Nathan McCullum couldn't stop admiring the amazing work Dubai has done as the city prepares to host the Expo 2020.
"Yes, it's been fantastic. I am here in Dubai with New Zealand and trying to promote the (Dubai) Expo 2020 and New Zealand's involvement in that," McCullum, the elder brother of Brendon McCullum, told Khaleej Times during an exclusive interview on Thursday.
"I had the opportunity to see the New Zealand Pavilion today. It was pretty awesome. Also spoke with some of those construction workers and the way they built those things is pretty awesome. I also spent some time with the youngsters who are keen on the game of cricket. It was really exciting."
Despite New Zealand's recent set back in Australia, McCullum believes next month's Test series between the Kiwis and world number one India is going to be an exciting affair.
"It's going to be a great series. All three formats, the T20, the ODIs and the Test series. I think they are all going to be close series. I think both teams have some really good players, some world-class players," he said.
"It's going to be some greats match-ups. I am excited to see the challenges from either side. Both teams have world-class batsmen and world-class bowlers."
So will the 3-0 drubbing in Australia play on the Kiwis mind when they play India?
"Yeah, probably a little bit, but New Zealand will be back in their own conditions, they know the wickets. If they can start well in the series, then they continue to enjoy the good form at home that they have been enjoying over the last few years," he said.
McCullum says New Zealand's consistent performances in the big events have helped cricket become more popular in the rugby-mad country.
"I think over the last 10 years, there has been a lot of excitement and support for cricket. The 2015 World Cup in New Zealand and the way we played and the country got behind us, it just flowed on and to see guys perform well in the 2019 World Cup, it was amazing," he said.
"It's great to see the country support the New Zealand cricket team with so much passion. Hopefully we can continue to be a team that is challenging the best and can be the best at some stage soon."
Finally, McCullum hoped that Test cricket would retain its tradition despite ICC's plan to make it a four-day affair.
"I suppose it will have its own challenges and its own reasons. Look, so far Test cricket has always been five-day affairs, there are still games that go to the fifth day. And the last session that we saw recently in the second South Africa-England Test, it was fantastic and it's great to see that. I hope it will stay like that," he said.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com