Cricket: McCullum - Press helped in beating England

New Zealand's Brendon McCullum smiles as walks past the series trophy after his side's win and therefore drawn series on the fifth day of the second Test. Photo / AP.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has revealed how the Kiwis used a media storm to put the squeeze on England during the cricket World Cup.

In an interview with the Telegraph, McCullum said he and opening bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult were having a beer two days before they crushed England in Wellington.

"We talked about how the England boys were copping it from all you fellas," he told the interviewer.

"Then the conversation grew, and it was like: "Jeez, it's like they're two down already."

McCullum said the trio analysed what they would do if England really were two down and replicated that by starting off with four slips.

"And Tim bowled one of the best spells I've seen in one-day cricket," McCullum said of Southee's seven for 33.

McCullum also confirmed he is good mates with England's one day captain Eoin Morgan, who is under a fair bit of pressure going into the five-match series which starts on Wednesday. The pair got to know each other playing for Kolkata in the Indian Premier League.

"I know in 10 or 15 years I'll still be able to catch up with Morgs and a pint of Guinness somewhere," he said.