New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hails Mike Hesson for recent Kiwi revival

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has praised team coach Mike Hesson's attention to detail, as the national team plots their 2015 ICC World Cup campaign.

The unheralded Hesson has slowly but surely revived a struggling New Zealand outfit since being appointed in July 2012. He gained a two-year extension to his contract in September 2014 on the back of recording three successive Test series wins, two against the West Indies and one against India, as well as some encouraging one-day results.

New Zealand are aiming to prepare for a strong World Cup which they co-host with Australia from February to March 2015, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Looking to end their frustrating run of World Cup semifinal exits, McCullum is desperate for consistency and hopes for improvement in their upcoming ODIs with South Africa and Pakistan.

McCullum said that over the last 12 to 18 months they have taken some significant steps forward as a team, both in the Test as well as one-day cricket. McCullum added that for New Zealand to be a real threat at the World Cup they need to ensure that they are still progressing as they enter it.

McCullum said that Hesson has had a huge role in that, adding that he's a meticulous planner and a behind-the-scenes communicator and his preparation is outstanding as a coach.

The skipper said that he thinks Hesson is probably among a new breed of coaches, who work very hard behind the scenes and pull a lot of things together.