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.
"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".
"We're looking forward to the challenge in front of us with New Zealand."
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.
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.
He helped engineer a home series win against South Africa plus a clean sweep of three Tests in Pakistan.
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.
"It's been a good start, definitely. Results have been great," McCullum said.
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.
McCullum, once one of the game's most entertaining players, does not expect a hostile reception from the Kiwi crowds.
"It should be alright, I would think. Obviously people are patriotic.
"Even if sometimes your own team doesn't win, you still walk away knowing you have had a hell of a day out. "Hopefully that will be the case during this series."