New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has made it clear that he doesn’t think the Test matches against England will serve as warm-ups for the World Test Championship title clash against India.

“Nah, I think anytime you get a chance to play a Test match for New Zealand, it’s an amazing opportunity and it’s something that you treasure, so I don’t think you would treat them as warm-ups,” he said after joining the team base in Southampton. It’s a two-match Test series against England and so our focus is first and foremost on those two matches against England.

“For us, it is great to have those matches in the lead-in to the final that follows on afterwards. It’s great preparation for the final but in saying that, for us it’s a two-match Test series that we’re really looking forward to, and the quality English opposition in these conditions.

“England are very tough in their own conditions. They obviously perform pretty well in these conditions. They’ve got a few new guys who are probably going to be very excited at the opportunity to play for England and try and make their mark in international cricket over the summer.

“I’m sure, as it always is, when New Zealand play England that’s usually a pretty exciting, pretty close Test series and I imagine this is going to be no different.”