Despite the West Indies being comprehensively outplayed in the Test series, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum expects they will be a different proposition when the limited overs part of their tour begins on Boxing Day.

McCullum has been in the same place as the tourists find themselves after heavy Test defeats, trying to lift the gloom ahead of the short formats.

“I’ve said it before when we’ve been on the other side of the coin, so I can’t change now, I think they are separate games.

“We’ll store this away as a Test unit and be very happy with the performance and now we have to turn our attention as a different unit,” he said after New Zealand’s eight-wicket win at Hamilton handed them the Test series 2-0.

Both sides will be different beasts when they take the field in the first one-dayer at Eden Park a day after celebrating Christmas.

The hosts welcome back Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill to the top of the order, while the Test new ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be missing as they accommodate nine new faces for the first two 50-over internationals.

The tourists have been hit hard by withdrawals with heavy-hitters Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels missing the series.

The trio are not easily replaced, but coach Ottis Gibson is optimistic the one-day specialists can start with a fresh slate under the leadership of Dwayne Bravo.

“Dwayne brings his own energy to the ODI group. Test series can drain players and the captain. A new figurehead and five to six different people means we’re not taking too much baggage from the Test series,” he said after the Seddon Park shocker.

Southee, who will miss the first two fixtures to undergo toe surgery, believes it would be premature to write the reigning World T20 champions off.

“They’re missing a few of their big names, but that’s a chance for someone else to step up and they’re still a quality side,” he said.

His absence will allow Adam Milne a chance to press his claims for a regular spot after the quick impressed on unresponsive tracks in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

But aside from the return of Southee to worry about, Milne also has to concern himself with the form of former international Hamish Bennett who is back bowling fast and taking wickets for Canterbury while the development of his provincial new ball partner Matt Henry is being closely monitored by selectors.