WELLINGTON, Feb 8: England launch their One-day International series against New Zealand on Saturday on a high here after victories in two Twenty20 matches left New Zealand’s confidence in tatters.

There has been a huge swing in form for both sides since New Zealand thrashed England by six wickets with nine overs to spare in their World Cup pool match 11 months ago.

It was performances such as that which underscored New Zealand’s world third ranking, but both sides have since gone through a period of rebuilding and there is little doubt the new look English unit appears much stronger.

In the Twenty20 matches, in which England won the first by 32 runs and the second by 50, the tourists produced superior batting and tighter bowling while exposing New Zealand’s all-round inadequacies.

To add to New Zealand’s woes their one bright hope, teenager Tim Southee, has been pulled out of the ODI squad with the selectors wanting him to go to Malaysia instead for the under-19 World Cup tournament.

Injured captain Daniel Vettori and all-rounder Jacob Oram are likely to return, though neither are fully fit.Vettori missed the Twenty20 thrashings because of an ankle injury and the joint is still swollen, but he is anxious to be back in the side.

Oram, who pulled a hamstring in the first Twenty20, may return only as a batsman as his power hitting is a vital weapon in the New Zealand armoury.

A final decision on whether the pair play will be made on Saturday morning just hours before the first ODI is to start.

Meanwhile, the English side were denied a training opportunity on Friday after a hijacking drama at Christchurch Airport delayed their arrival in the capital.

But their confidence levels are so high, it was of little concern to captain Paul Collingwood. However, Collingwood added he was still taking nothing for granted as his side seek to improve on their lowly seventh ranking on the ODI ladder.

“They [New Zealand] are still a dangerous side,” he expressed. “I don’t think we’ve demoralised them but we can take a lot of positives out of our performances and hopefully we’re starting to dent a few confidences in their side.”—AFP