Baz goes. Surprising as it may sound, but he chose to call it a day. There is only one word to describe it : Selflessness. I mean come on. He is a gifted player. No human being on this planet will question his place or his captaincy in coming world cup. Yet, he decided to leave. What else can you call it?
The whole world was lit up by the brand of cricket McCullum led blackcaps played. He demonstrated that aggressive cricket can perfectly co-exist in harmony with the spirit of the game. What Brendon did with New Zealand cricket over the past few years was truly exceptional. He is leaving behind a legacy which has made New Zealand one of the best on cricket field.
As a batsman, he was amazing. When he hit the ball, the ball used to exist at the bat and boundary at the same time. When the bowler was on his mark to bowl to McCullum, you don't want to miss that moment. He was an irresistible force of nature. He forces you to watch cricket. When he is at the crease, anything is possible. Anything. Bowlers have no idea where they are going to be hit next ball. It may be over the point, may be over his head or it may well be going over mid-wicket region. A career spanning 14 years, he gave us some beautiful memories. How can we forget how he completed those tight finishes to clean sweep Australia in 2007 Chappell-Hadlee series. He is the only man on this planet to score two T20 international centuries. He was the first kiwi player to score a triple hundred. He scored more than 300 runs in the recently concluded world cup at a strike rate of 188!!! His 26 ball 59 was the reason South Africa were derailed while defending in the semi finals. He could scoop 155 KPH balls of shaun tait over fine leg, while at the same time he played almost 2 days to save the game from the jaws of defeat.
As a captain, he was right at top. His brand of cricket was infectious. Only England will know how much playing Blackcaps just before Ashes helped them. He took blackcaps to their most amazing ride in their cricket history. World cup finals. Under him, New Zealand were a force to reckon with. Everyone was looking forward to him. Whatever he touched turned to gold.
As a sportsman, he was incomparable. To me, the moment when he went to shake hands with Michael Clarke after he got out when his team has lost the world cup summed it all. Transforming the game while staying humble was McCullum's greatest quality... catching the eye, so was their equal humility in victory and defeat. He always had the right and kind words for the opposition. Even after he hit 25 ball 77 against England in world cup 2015 match, he bode good luck to his dear friend Eoin Morgan.
Why retire? Why at the point when things are going on so well? As Baz said "I think there's something pretty romantic about finishing playing cricket in front of New Zealand crowds and in New Zealand's grounds". McCullum's last international game will be the second test against Australia in Christchurch - the city in which he and his family now live. McCullum has played through back problems for a long time now, but the prospect of spending more time with family was a huge factor in his retirement.
People come and go. But not like him. He is a timeless recipe. Once in a generation. He has made whole New Zealand "Dream Big". I am going to miss him a lot. #Legend
The whole world was lit up by the brand of cricket McCullum led blackcaps played. He demonstrated that aggressive cricket can perfectly co-exist in harmony with the spirit of the game. What Brendon did with New Zealand cricket over the past few years was truly exceptional. He is leaving behind a legacy which has made New Zealand one of the best on cricket field.
As a batsman, he was amazing. When he hit the ball, the ball used to exist at the bat and boundary at the same time. When the bowler was on his mark to bowl to McCullum, you don't want to miss that moment. He was an irresistible force of nature. He forces you to watch cricket. When he is at the crease, anything is possible. Anything. Bowlers have no idea where they are going to be hit next ball. It may be over the point, may be over his head or it may well be going over mid-wicket region. A career spanning 14 years, he gave us some beautiful memories. How can we forget how he completed those tight finishes to clean sweep Australia in 2007 Chappell-Hadlee series. He is the only man on this planet to score two T20 international centuries. He was the first kiwi player to score a triple hundred. He scored more than 300 runs in the recently concluded world cup at a strike rate of 188!!! His 26 ball 59 was the reason South Africa were derailed while defending in the semi finals. He could scoop 155 KPH balls of shaun tait over fine leg, while at the same time he played almost 2 days to save the game from the jaws of defeat.
As a captain, he was right at top. His brand of cricket was infectious. Only England will know how much playing Blackcaps just before Ashes helped them. He took blackcaps to their most amazing ride in their cricket history. World cup finals. Under him, New Zealand were a force to reckon with. Everyone was looking forward to him. Whatever he touched turned to gold.
As a sportsman, he was incomparable. To me, the moment when he went to shake hands with Michael Clarke after he got out when his team has lost the world cup summed it all. Transforming the game while staying humble was McCullum's greatest quality... catching the eye, so was their equal humility in victory and defeat. He always had the right and kind words for the opposition. Even after he hit 25 ball 77 against England in world cup 2015 match, he bode good luck to his dear friend Eoin Morgan.
Why retire? Why at the point when things are going on so well? As Baz said "I think there's something pretty romantic about finishing playing cricket in front of New Zealand crowds and in New Zealand's grounds". McCullum's last international game will be the second test against Australia in Christchurch - the city in which he and his family now live. McCullum has played through back problems for a long time now, but the prospect of spending more time with family was a huge factor in his retirement.
People come and go. But not like him. He is a timeless recipe. Once in a generation. He has made whole New Zealand "Dream Big". I am going to miss him a lot. #Legend
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