Brendon McCullum secret to Cricket World Cup success

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Is Brendon McCullum our World Cup secret weapon?

A World Cup is like a jigsaw puzzle, if the pieces fit together and work in tandem you feel a sense of accomplishment and end up staring at a magnificent picture in front of you, but if they don't fit, frustration rises. The puzzle will remains unfinished and then the 'what ifs' start to circulate.
The Black Caps have provided the New Zealand public with several highs and lows over the past decade or two. This current team is beginning to consistently provide highs, silence critics and get recognition from around the globe, especially from our neighbours across the ditch.
Come February 14, the most anticipated month-and-a-half of cricket this country will ever see will begin, as we try to achieve something never done before.
If current form is anything to go by we may as well get the trophy engraved now, but World Cups are different. Things don't go to plan, Kane Williamson gets a golden duck and the dream is over.
Where the Black Caps stand above the rest is the depth they've created over the past 18 months. They have players maturing at the right time and most importantly winning games from unwinnable positions. This gives the team confidence and the knowledge they can win even when they're behind the eight ball.

 The successful NZ test cricket team who defeated Sri Lanka 2-0 in the recent series.

The naming of the squad sprung a few surprises, such as Jimmy Neesham missing out to Grant Elliott, and the most promising pace bowler in the country, Matt Henry, piped at the finish by an injury-free Kyle Mills. Elliott and Mills may offer the same skill set as those who missed out, but experience makes up for that in spades, and entering a World Cup it is a crucial statistic to take into consideration.
In all likelihood neither Mills nor Elliott will make the final XI so it's more important what they offer off the field than on it.
To win a tournament like the World Cup, x-factor is a prerequisite and we have a little gem in Brendon McCullum. His blazing half century off 19 balls the other week showed us what this man can do, and if he can replicate his form of 2014 to the World Cup it's fair to say we'll win more games than we lose.

His captaincy will also will be integral to this team. His 'never say never' attitude rubs off on each player and lifts their skill set to the next level. His strategic mind and brilliant attacking captaincy makes him the most innovative and proactive captain in the world.He's managed to gather a team of typical New Zealand cricketers and build a team culture and environment where they believe they can be the best and beat the best.

 His captaincy will also will be integral to this team. His 'never say never' attitude rubs off on each player and lifts their skill set to the next level. His strategic mind and brilliant attacking captaincy makes him the most innovative and proactive captain in the world.
We seem to have every box ticked, quality seam bowlers, brilliant spinner, two genius batsman, the x-factor, an extraordinary fielding unit and experience. The only thing missing is that massive trophy.
On March 29, we will meet a team with the exactly same attributes as those above. Then we will know if we are the best in the world or just the best of the rest.
It doesn't matter if we win or just make the semis like we usually do, there will be no denying that this tournament will capture the public's imagination, and be a once in a lifetime spectacle. Having the trophy in the cabinet for the next four years will be just be the icing we really deserve.


 Thanks to Stuff NZ for permission to run this article by GAVIN POOLE

A captain's homecoming - Brendan McCullum

In a cul de sac close to the Parkside Hotel and a stone throw away from that famous rugby and cricket ground, Carisbrook, in Dunedin, Brendan, and his younger brother Nathan, lived their younger life. My brother and I lived not far away, and remember watching Brendan’s Dad, Stuart, playing for Otago at Carisbrook.  So with the England New Zealand test match starting tomorrow, I am hoping that Brendan McCullum will lead the New Zealand cricket team to victory. Here is an excellent article written by Andrew McGlashan, ESPN, which I would like to share.

If it hadn't been for the absence of a pair of boots, Brendon McCullum might have been representing New Zealand in a different sport.

Like other southern hemisphere cricketers, McCullum could have chosen rugby for his career. And it would not have been the lesser option. He was once good enough to keep Dan Carter out of a South Islands schools team.

There is a story told by those who know him from his days at Kings High School in Dunedin - which has perhaps been slightly embellished over time - that shortly after being selected for a rugby match at about the age of 20, McCullum was hurrying around trying to find a pair of boots to borrow. However, before he could find them, Richard Hadlee, who was New Zealand's chairman of selectors at the time, was on the phone with the message, "Don't give him those boots."

McCullum had already been involved in New Zealand age-group cricket, and Hadlee was understandably reluctant to let one of the sport's most talented youngsters go. McCullum had a decision to make: All Blacks or Black Caps? He picked cricket.

"He was a freak," says Daryl Paterson, who worked at Kings High School during McCullum's time there, and still does today. "I've no doubt he could have played rugby for New Zealand. But he stood out at everything: batting, keeping, scoring tries. I was only involved in his cricket for a short time because I coached Year 9, and Brendon scored so many runs he was soon moved up a level. He was only a little bit taller than the stumps and he was standing up to the fast bowlers."

Now he is New Zealand's captain, a position acquired in a messy turn of events that exposed divisions in the side. On Wednesday he will lead his country on his home ground. He has previously captained in a one-day international here, but that was a far more subdued affair, against Zimbabwe. There are few grander occasions than a Test against England.

McCullum isn't the first New Zealand captain from Kings High School. Ken Rutherford, whose son Hamish is set to make his Test debut this week and is another alumnus, came from the school. "We are very proud about that," says Paterson.

McCullum's mother will be in the crowd, although his father, Stuart, a former Otago player, will miss Brendon's homecoming, as he is on business in Adelaide. But he will be keeping a close eye on his oldest son and speaks with great pride about both him and his brother Nathan, who is part of the one-day and T20 teams.

"You always hoped that they would play for New Zealand," he says, "but to captain them, it's a wonderful honour, and hopefully he will do a fitting job. It will be a very proud day. He's proud of his roots. Any game he plays is special but there's some added significance [to this one]."

Did it hurt to see his son caught up in the melee that occurred when Ross Taylor was sacked? "It wasn't so much how it happened," Stuart says. "Some people don't understand Brendon, some have a false impression of what he is like. Brendon looks upon the captaincy as a privilege rather than a matter of course. He is a team man through and through. He never actively went out and sought the captaincy. He had nothing to do with the process. It took him a long time to decide whether he would accept it.

	"He was a freak. I've no doubt he could have played rugby for New Zealand. He was only a little bit taller than the stumps when he was standing up to the fast bowlers"Daryl Paterson, who worked at Brendon McCullum's school

"He has no beef with Ross at all - they are friends. It was disappointing to hear some people casting aspersions over his integrity, but you just have to sit back and listen to it. I admit there are times when you'd just like to get on the phone and ask if they actually know the facts, but it's not for me to get involved. People seem to get the wrong idea of what he's like."

Brendon, his father says, has always had drive and determination. There is also a combativeness about him, which stands out in a New Zealand side that can often struggle to impose itself. "He's always been confident," says Stuart. "He's a 'see ball, hit ball' kind of batsman, but I don't think anyone can play down his skill."

It was towards the end of Stuart McCullum's first-class career with Otago that the cricketing future of the next generation of McCullums started to be forged. When aged about six and seven, Brendon and Nathan would accompany their dad to training, but he was never a pushy father. He didn't need to be, really, as it was clear his sons would chart their own paths.

"They were always around when I was playing, and used to take part in a lot of fielding practice when they were young kids. But it was very much a natural course of events. If they ever wanted extra time in the nets I'd happily go with them."

My 12 year old son, Ablai right, with Brendan McCullum at Queenstown, 31 December 2011. McCullum is a great role model for young crickets and takes time out to talk to them after the match.

Paterson remembers Brendon as someone with vast self-confidence. "He has always carried himself that way," he says, "but it never verged into cockiness. Everyone knew he was something special but he was also one of the lads."

At stages during the T20 and one-day series, it was very much Brendon McCullum v England. He struck three blistering half-centuries in the one-dayers, and a match-winning 74 in the Hamilton T20. If they are to compete in the Tests, McCullum will again have to lead the way.

Do that he will. "He loves challenging himself against the best," Stuart says. "He measures himself against the best. He's never completely satisfied with his own performance, and that's an attitude he has had all the way through his career. He never takes anything for granted."

Who is Brendan McCullum?

In our rugby-mad country, cricket players are often overshadowed by their rugby counterparts. But Black Cap Brendon McCullum found rock star fame in India as part of cricket’s richest tournament, the Indian Premier League earlier this year, and last night blasted his way into cricket history books. The 30-year-old right-hander smashed seven sixes and 11 fours during his 58-ball 123 to give New Zealand, who reached 3-191 in their 20 allotted overs, a rampaging start to the group D match played in overcast conditions. McCullum's clean hitting made it gloomy for Bangladesh who were restricted to 8-132 in their 20 overs, with Tim Southee (3-16) and Kyle Mills (3-33) sharing the spoils.

In a cul de sac close to the Parkside Hotel and a stone throw away from that famous rugby and cricket ground, Carisbrook, in Dunedin, Brendan, and his younger brother Nathan, lived their younger life. My brother and I lived not far away, and remember watching Brendan’s Dad, Stuart, playing for Otago at Carisbrook.

Had Brendan chosen another path, he may have ousted Dan Carter in the No. 10 All Black jersey as he was a talented rugby player. His school history gives an insight into his rugby playing talent in 1999.  “The first win in Littlebourne for 24 years against Otago was achieved after future New Zealand cricket star and King’s High captain and first-five Brendon McCullum snatched an intercept and sprinted sixty meters to score a crucial try.”

As of 21 September 2012, McCullum simultaneously holds the record for the highest innings total in a Twenty20 International (123 for New Zealand against Bangladesh) and in a first-class equivalent Twenty20 match (158 not out for Kolkata Knight Riders against Bangalore Royal Challengers). He was the first and, as of that same date, only player to score two Twenty20 International centuries.

Career highlights


In 2003 he played in a Test series against England and scored what was then his highest score, an innings of 96 at Lord's. His maiden Test century came several months later when he scored 143 against Bangladesh. He fell just short of his second Test hundred in a game against Sri Lanka when dismissed one short of his hundred. His second century would later come with a run a ball 111 against Zimbabwe.

He was selected in the 20-man ICC World XI squad for the ICC Super Series in July 2005.

Brendan McCullum goes out of his way to encourage youngsters. On 31 December last year after a cricket match in Queenstown, New Zealand, he mingled with fans and freely talked with them. Here is with my son Ablai.


In March 2006, he was charged with bringing the game into disrepute during an ODI against West Indies, but was found not guilty.

On 20 February 2007, he scored 86 not out as New Zealand went on to be the first team to whitewash Australia in a 3 match ODI series since 1997. He struck a massive six off the first ball of the last over against Nathan Bracken to level the scores, before he finished it off with a boundary. In his matchwinning innings he partnered Craig McMillan to a world record equalling 6th wicket partnership of 165.

On 21 March 2007, he set a new World Cup record, by smashing 50 runs from just 20 balls against Canada in St Lucia. He finished his innings with 52 runs from 21 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes, with a strike rate of 247.61. The previous record had been set by Mark Boucher (South Africa) against The Netherlands on 16 March (50 runs from 21 balls).

On 14 December 2007 he scored 96 against Australia. He was caught by Nathan Bracken off the bowling of Brad Hogg after 35.3 overs.

On 31 December 2007 he scored 50 from just 19 balls against Bangladesh. He finished his innings with 80 runs from only 28 balls, including 9 fours and 6 sixes with a strike rate of 285.71 resulting in a 10 wicket win: chasing 93 from 50 overs and achieving it making 95 from only 6 overs.

On 12 February 2008 he scored 50 from 27 balls against England. He finished his innings with 80 runs from only 47 balls, including 8 fours and 5 sixes with a strike rate of 170.21 resulting in a 10 wicket win and giving New Zealand a 2 nil lead in the 5 match series.

On 18 April 2008, he claimed the record for highest individual score in a Twenty20 innings, scoring 158* from only 73 balls, which included 13 sixes and 10 fours in boundaries, for the Kolkata Knight Riders against Bangalore Royal Challengers in the first game of the Indian Premier League helping them get a much deserved 140 run victory.This eclipsed the previous record mark of 141, held by Australian Cameron White, McCullum faced an over White bowled in that match and smashed him for 24, it was White's only over in that match.In the same match he also claimed the record for most sixes in a Twenty20 innings, the most sixes in an individual Twenty20 innings has since been surpassedby Englishman Graham Napier.

On 1 July 2008, he scored his maiden ODI century, eventually getting dismissed for 166 against Ireland. He shared in a 266 run opening stand with James Marshall, which is the highest ODI partnership for any wicket in Black Caps history and the second highest opening partnership in all ODIs


On 5 April 2009, on day three of the third Test match during India's tour of New Zealand, he displayed an amazing level of alertness in the dismissal of Rahul Dravid. Dravid attempted a sweep shot off Daniel Vettori's bowling, but McCullum saw what Dravid was up to before the ball had even pitched and moved swiftly to his left (Dravid's leg side). Ross Taylor at first slip did the same. The ball came nicely off Dravid's bat, but flew straight into the hands of a waiting Brendon McCullum.A couple of balls earlier, McCullum tried the same thing, but he had been a little slow and Dravid's sweep was kept low. Although there has been some discussion regarding the legality of McCullum's movement before the ball had even pitched, the laws of cricket indicate he was well within his right to do so.

On 6 November 2009, vs Pakistan at Abu Dhabi, McCullum scored his second ODI century (131, 129 balls, 14 4's, 3 6's) to elevate New Zealand to 303 and win the match to level the series.

On 16 February 2010, during the only Test match against Bangladesh, he scored 185, the highest score ever by a New Zealand wicket-keeper in Test cricket. He was also involved in the record highest sixth-wicket partnership for New Zealand of 339 runs with Martin Guptill, missing out on the world record by just 12 runs.

On 27 February 2010, becomes just the second player to score a T20I hundred, finishing 116 not out, one run short of Chris Gayle's record of 117.

On 4 May 2010 McCullum became the first player to score 1000 T20 international runs. He achieved this feat playing against Zimbabwe in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 at Guyana On 28 June 2010, Brendon McCullum said he will not keep wicket for New Zealand in Test matches. He, however informed that he will still keep in 50-overs & T20 over games.This meant that McCullum would have to cement his place in the test team as a batsman. He did a fine job in his first innings since handing over the Wicket-keeping duties he scored 65 runs and was engaged in a 104 run partnership with Ross Taylor he was promoted to the position of opener in tests rather than his usual number 5 position. McCullum did however have experience of opening the innings because he opens for New Zealand in limited-overs cricket

McCullum is married to Ellissa McCullum (née Arthur), an Australian from Caniaba, New South Wales. They have a son Riley and a daughter Maya.