Jos Buttler is keen for England to continue building momentum in one-day cricket when they take on New Zealand in the NatWest Series.
The opportunity to record victory over Brendon McCullum’s men provides ample motivation for Buttler, who is set to represent England at Lord’s for the first time in Friday’s opening ODI.
However, the Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman admits the three-match rubber gains additional significance with the Champions Trophy following hot on its heels. England’s tournament opener against Australia comes three days after the series-finale with the Black Caps at Trent Bridge.
“These games obviously come up first and any game you play for England you want to win. We’re looking forward to this series against New Zealand and we’ll be wanting to win it,” Buttler said in an exclusive interview with ecb.co.uk.
"The Champions Trophy in England is a very exciting proposition for everybody and obviously these three games gives us a great chance to prepare for that; we are desperate to win the series and carry on the good work the side has done in the Tests.
"We had a good one-day series against New Zealand in New Zealand (winning 2-1), so we will be looking to put in some more great performances.”
After featuring in the reverse meetings in March, Buttler is fully aware of the threat New Zealand pose.
"They are a strong side with world-class players in their team,” he added.
“Brendon McCullum was in great form in New Zealand and is obviously a big threat. They have got some very good players, but we are very confident as a team and have got some quality players in our outfit and we will be looking to put in our performances."
As for the prospect of walking out in an England jersey at the home of cricket, the 22-year-old - who boasts six ODI and 21 Twenty20 caps - said: “It’s great to turn up at Lord's; it is always an exciting place to come.
He continued: “I have been here a couple of times with Somerset but never with an England side, so it is very exciting and hopefully we will have a good day's weather on Friday.”
“It’s a really special place to play and to play here for England will be amazing.”