Current New Zealand team the best side I have played in: McCullum

Christchurch, Feb 13 (IANS) Ahead of their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has said his team is the best squad he has played in.

Oozing with confidence at the pre-match media conference Friday, McCullum said: "Certainly the ones that I've played in, it's the best team and we tick most boxes. The style of play is something we're comfortable with. We've had different personnel come in and out but the gameplan has always remained the same."

"We've got a nice mix of youth and experience and a team that I'm really comfortable taking into the World Cup and we'll give ourselves a good chance."

When asked what the final 11 will be against Sri Lanka, McCullum did not disclose the side and said: "I haven't had a chance to speak to the boys not playing yet so out of respect to them we'll keep our cards close to our chest."

"But we're comfortable with the team we've decided on and it's going to be exciting for those guys who get first opportunity."

The veteran batsman who has featured in 240 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) added they have had a great build-up to the quadrennial event but now they have to start afresh from Saturday.

"Everyone's excited. It's been a great build-up and all the management and coaching staff have done a brilliant job of getting us to this point and now it's a matter of how we seize the opportunities we get.

We've been playing some good cricket but we know the slate is clean starting tomorrow," he added.

New Zealand go into the tournament having beaten Sri Lanka 4-2 in a seven-match ODI series and having won their second warm-up game against the South Africans by 134 runs.