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McCullum absent for key pink-ball training

New Zealand skipper in London to give evidence in the Chris Cairns perjury trial as Black Caps ramp up preparations

New Zealand take a significant step forward in their preparations for this summer's Trans-Tasman Test series this week, but will do it without skipper Brendon McCullum.

The Black Caps leader is in London, a key witness in the perjury trial of former NZ allrounder Chris Cairns, which is due to begin tomorrow.

It is alleged Cairns misled the British courts in 2012 during libel proceedings against Indian businessman and IPL founder Lalit Modi. McCullum is a star witness, while others set to appear include former Black Caps fast bowler and newly signed Brisbane Heat bowling coach Shane Bond and New Zealand Cricket's chief executive David White.

McCullum will miss a crucial two-day intense practice session under lights with the pink Kookaburra ball in Hamilton this week, as New Zealand's players seek to come to grips with the new ball before cricket's first-ever day-night Test in Adelaide.

The trial is scheduled for four weeks, although it is not expected that McCullum will be required to remain in London and miss his team's entire preparation for the three-Test Commonwealth Bank Series that starts in Brisbane on November 5.

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The captain's absence, while not ideal, is not going to affect the team's preparations, says opening batsman Tom Latham.

"We've got plenty of leaders in the group, there's plenty of senior players so we'll go about our business as if we would if he was there," Latham told Fairfax NZ.

"We're certainly looking forward to getting together next week (in Hamilton), and getting a bit of pink ball training and then we can go from there.

"Kane (Williamson) has captained us a little bit in the past, and there's plenty of other senior players.

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"You know it's certainly about doing what we've been doing and there are a lot of senior guys, but I think everyone plays a key role in that part as well, and we'll be going about our business the same sort of way."

The New Zealanders, who may host their own day-night Test if the ground-breaking Adelaide Test proves a hit with fans, will focus exclusively on the pink ball this week but Latham says the squad has not overlooked the red-ball.

"I've had one hit against it, and we're up in Hamilton next week pink ball training, but I've been trying to focus on the other two Tests as well," the 23-year-old opener said.

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"It'll be interesting. I'm certainly looking forward to creating a bit of history.

"I think if we put any pressure on ourselves then you know things might not go so well.

"But if we keep doing the same things as we've been doing over the last 12 to 18 months then hopefully those results do come as well."