Brandon McCullum and Ross Taylor will link up with their team mates shortly

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum and key batsman Ross Taylor will arrive in England earlier than expected after they were granted dispensation by their Indian Premier League sides.

The duo have lucrative IPL deals and were not initially expected to arrive on the tour until after the completion of this weekend's three-day warm-up match against Derbyshire.

But McCullum, who has only played once for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and Taylor, who represents Pune Warriors, will now have more time to become accustomed to English conditions before the two-Test series gets underway.

McCullum will join up with his team during their training session in Derby on Friday, with Taylor due to arrive soon afterwards.

A Cricket New Zealand spokesman said on Thursday: "Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and star batsman Ross Taylor have been released early from their Indian Premier League teams.

"McCullum will join the team in Derby later tomorrow and Taylor is expected to arrive over the weekend."