New Zealand looking forward to facing Pietersen-free England

“The fact Kevin Pietersen isn’t in the England team fills us with a bit more ­confidence,” says NZ star Brendan McCullum

More confident: McCullum says New Zealand can take heart from Kevin Pietersen's absence

New Zealand are relishing the chance to take on a Kevin Pietersen-free England because it gives them a better chance of winning.

That the 2010 player of the tournament is in a Colombo TV studio rather than in Kandy preparing for the game today is a confidence boost for the Kiwis in their push for the trophy.

And that is the very real impact that Pietersen’s absence is not only having on England’s performances but on those of the opposition as well.

“The fact Kevin Pietersen isn’t in the England team fills us with a bit more ­confidence,” admitted New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum.

“It is a tough question to answer because I don’t know about the politics of what has gone on, but looking at Kevin Pietersen the talent and Kevin Pietersen the player, the game is poorer without him.

“I hope they can resolve their differences so people who love the game can get to enjoy the success that he is.

“The big-name clashes in the game are what people want to see and it’s the sort of thing that whets the ­appetite as well, but if he’s not playing that helps us.”

Pietersen is understood to be days away from putting pen to paper on a new ECB central contract so should be back in an England shirt before too long, but until then opponents do not have to worry about him.

The man England need to worry about though is McCullum, officially the world’s best T20 batsman, the scorer of the most runs and most sixes.

But unlike power hitters such as Pietersen or Chris Gayle, who put England to the sword on Thursday, McCullum is about ­placement and timing.

“I’m never going to be one of those players who puts it 20 or 30 rows back but I’m still capable of lobbing it over the ropes,” said McCullum.

“I certainly don’t look like Chris Gayle, he’s a ­ridiculously big strong man and a sensational Twenty20 player.

“But there are lots of different ways of getting the ball over the ropes and guys like Chris or Kevin can look at the field and say it doesn’t matter if there’s a man on the boundary, I can take him on.”

Whoever wins today will take a giant stride towards the semi-final while the loser will 

almost certainly be out.