Alastair Cook "excited" by New Zealand series

England captain Alastair Cook has said that his team are "excited" to be back on home soil for the upcoming series with New Zealand.

The Three Lions toured Down Under in March, but had to battle for a 0-0 draw in a three-match series, which involved an epic final day batting out.

Cook dismissed the notion that his team took their opponents lightly, instead believing that his side were simply not at their best.

He also praised the quality within the Kiwi ranks.

"I don't think we were complacent," Cook told reporters. "We didn't play as well as we could have done, that is the bottom line.

"It doesn't matter what has gone on before. It is a hugely important series and we are firmly concentrating on these two weeks of cricket against New Zealand.

"They have proved how difficult they are to beat and we have to be at our best here. We're excited about being at Lords and being back at home again."

The first Test gets underway at Lord's on Thursday.