England's player of the year Joe Root is out to exact some revenge on New Zealand at Lord's this week.
New England vice-captain Root was part of the team embarrassed by the Kiwis, and Tim Southee especially, in an eight-wicket World Cup thumping achieved in less than half the scheduled 100 overs three months ago.
The Yorkshireman, named at a Lord's dinner on Monday evening as Waitrose player of the year, admits England's Wellington trouncing still hurts.
Asked if they may be out for revenge in the first Investec Test at the start of an Ashes summer, he said: "Absolutely. Of course. That cut us deep.
"I know it is a different format, but there will be a lot of guys in their side (here) who played in that game.
"We want to put that right - and at Lord's . we have a few guys at the moment in good form with bat and ball, and we are looking forward to really getting out there and starting off strongly."
England exited the World Cup three matches later after defeat against Bangladesh. Coach Peter Moores has since been sacked, after a disappointing drawn Test series in the West Indies.
Southee, who took seven for 33 as England collapsed to 123 all out, is one of those who will be back.
Root, however, believes England can prove that form all wrong - in Test cricket, at least.
"I genuinely think we are a good side," he added.
"We played some really good cricket at the end of last season - we thrashed India 3-1.
"In the West Indies, things didn't go quite to plan in the last Test match - but for the majority of the series we did play some really, really strong cricket.
"We are going to have to play really well, but we are more than capable."
Root is hoping, meanwhile, he will not have to deputise for Alastair Cook any time soon.
At the suggestion he is one injury away from leading his country for the first time, he spelled out how badly England need a back-to-form Cook to stay clear of mishap.
"That would be devastating," he said.
"He has hit some very good form lately, and he would be a massive loss to the dressing room - so I definitely don't want that to happen."
Source: PA
