5 best ODI performances by Brendon McCullum in a Black Caps jersey
“Afridi with brains” describes Brendon McCullum perfectly. Throughout his career, the Kiwi captain has found the balance between unfettered aggression and calculated restraint, making him one of his country’s finest cricketers in all three formats.Hence, with the World Twenty20 just around the corner and McCullum still so spritely in the field and so devastating with the bat, it came as a shock when he announced in December that he would retire from internationals at the conclusion of the Australia series in February.The 34-year-old has flourished and reached new heights in Test cricket in recent years, and the Kiwi carried the hopes of a nation when he led his country to the World Cup final on home soil last year. The New Zealanders, neutrals and even opposition who have relished watching him have been left somewhat quizzical by his choice to call it quits while at the peak of his powers.But his decision is final and, as we bid Baz a fond, albeit seemingly premature farewell, it’s fitting to look back and marvel over his best moments in a Black Caps jersey. Here are McCullum’s five best innings for New Zealand in One-Day Internationals.
#1 86* v Australia in Hamilton, 2007
One of the all-time great ODI chases wouldn’t have been possible without McCullum’s firepower, but he and Craig McMillan ensured New Zealand pulled off an almighty heist against Australia in Hamilton nine years ago.
The Aussies redefined dominance during this era – they were unbeaten in World Cups since 1999 and regularly posted monstrous targets – but they had suffered a rare series defeat and hoped to restore pride heading into the upcoming World Cup. And, when Matthew Hayden propelled them to 346, and the fast bowlers reduced their Oceanic rivals to 41-4, normal service looked to be resumed.
But McMillan and McCullum had other ideas. Helped by Peter Fulton’s pacey half-century, the two set to work, doing their best to keep up with the required rate. McMillan, the elder statesman, blasted 117 to give them a chance, but when he fell, New Zealand became outsiders once more with 66 still required from 8.4 overs, and just four wickets left.
Enter McCullum. The wicket-keeper coped with the dismissals of James Franklin and Daryl Tuffey, before receiving essential support from Mark Gillespie, who added a rapid 28. Still, when he was run out, New Zealand were eight runs short and down to their final life.
Ever the swashbuckler, McCullum sealed the deal and an unprecedented whitewash with a maximum off Nathan Bracken to tie the scores, followed by a slash through the backward point which skittled to the ropes. A match-clinching 86 and what was then the second-highest ODI chase – not bad for a day’s work.