Newly appointed New Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor says he doesn't expect to have any difficulties in the team with unsuccessful candidate Brendon McCullum.
Taylor was today confirmed as the successor to Daniel Vettori as Black Caps captain in all forms of the game - test, one-day internationals and Twenty20.
The 27-year-old Central Districts batsman got the job after he and Otago wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum both put their credentials forward.
Taylor won the role, receiving the backing of New Zealand Cricket's board after being recommended by director of cricket John Buchanan, coach John Wright and interim national selection manager Mark Greatbatch following interviews last week.
Taylor said McCullum was a professional athlete and he didn't expect any issues with him.
"He's obviously going to be very disappointed. He wanted this job as much as I did, but I was lucky getting the job," Taylor told a media conference today.
"Brendon's going to be a key part to our team going forward. Give him a couple of weeks to get over the disappointment and I'm looking forward to seeing Brendon score a lot of runs at the top of the order."
Taylor said any thought there was division in the team over the captaincy issue was "media speculation".
"I've had the respect when I've captained the team in Dan's absence, and I don't see that anything will change."
Taylor averages 41.12 with the bat in test matches and 36.80 in one-dayers and has been a fixture in the New Zealand side since making his test debut in November 2007. His one-day international debut came against the West Indies in March 2006.
He said he was looking forward to the role and didn't think his batting would suffer because of his appointment.
"When I have led the team I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and I've got better stats when I have captained. The extra responsibility is something I've thrived upon."
Taylor said another major event coming up in his life meant he didn't get the message about his appointment immediately.
"I missed the phone call from John Buchanan - I was trying to pick wedding songs for this coming Saturday, and I probably had the music going a bit too loud," he said.
"When it came through, my partner was very happy, and the first phone call was obviously to mum and dad, and they were very happy too. They actually didn't answer the phone call either for a couple of times as well."
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Taylor had the attributes necessary to succeed in the role, adding that the selection process had been vigorous.
"Ross has been an impressive deputy to Dan Vettori since taking over the vice-captaincy and shown to be a very capable leader when he has had the opportunity.
"The process to select the captain has been robust. We wanted to make sure the right people were involved and that we appointed the right man for the job - I'm sure we have done that," he said.
Vaughan also paid tribute to outgoing captain Vettori.
"Over the last four years Dan's led his country with real credit, and I think the way he finished off his reign as captain with a fighting semifinal position at the World Cup was a real testament to the hard work he's put in.
"On behalf of New Zealand Cricket, I'd like to thank Dan for what he's done."
Taylor's first series at the helm of the Black Caps will be against Zimbabwe in September.
