New Zealand to play aggressive cricket against India

New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan said his team will look to play aggressive cricket in the ongoing ODI series against India to send a message to the other powerful nations.

"These guys are good players but at no point are we going to back away from a fight," said McClenaghan, who had a slight verbal confrontation with Indian opener Rohit Sharma in the opening One-dayer in Napier which the Kiwis won by 24 runs.

"We're not going to be nice to them, we're going to get in their face and let them know that we're here and we're going to put our mark on the buildup to the World Cup."

New Zealand have a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series and McClenaghan hoped some good showings will send the right message to other top teams.

"It's a huge series against one of the best sides in the world. Leading into a World Cup in our back yard we want to have consistency," McClenaghan was quoted as saying on a website.

"This is our best team that we can put out on the park. Hopefully we can let everyone know around the world that in our own back yard on our grounds and our decks we're not to be taken lightly come 2015."

India will take on New Zealand in the second One-dayer in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Image: Mitchell McClenaghan of New Zealand

Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images