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Brendon McCullum: Top 8 limited-overs innings of the New Zealand giant

Brendon McCullum played his final ODI against Australia on Monday.

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Brendon McCullum retired from ODIs with 6,083 runs from 260 matches © AFP
Brendon McCullum retired from ODIs with 6,083 runs from 260 matches © AFP

There are very few names that happen to be a nightmare of every bowler in cricket. Be it Dale Steyn or James Anderson, Ravichandran Ashwin or Rangana Herath, even the best think twice before bowling at them. Brendon McCullum is easily counted among one of these destructive batsmen. There is a group of cricketers who are judged more by their impacts on the sport than by numbers. McCullum is definitely one of them. If one goes on to comprehend McCullum’s One-Day International (ODI) figures, it is likely he would be considered overhyped, at least in the 20- or 50-overs formats. Making his debut in 2002 and often batting down the order in his early days, New Zealand’s recently retired skipper scored his first ODI ton only in 2008. FULL  SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd ODI at Hamilton

He began his career as a specialist wicketkeeper, and his batting only gained attention post-2007. McCullum is the only batsman to score two Twenty20 International (T20I) centuries and more than 2,000 T20I runs. McCullum took over New Zealand’s captaincy across formats towards the end of 2012, and almost single-handedly changed the picture of New Zealand cricket. Not only did the side all of a sudden start dominating across formats, but Baz made crucial contributions with the bat. Under his captaincy, New Zealand has not lost a Test at home, and of 42 ODIs, have won 28. After successfully defending Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2015-16, McCullum is set to lead in his final three Tests before bringing curtains down in his illustrious international career. We will never ever watch this amazing cricketer who led New Zealand in black. Sakshi Gupta lists out his top nine limited-overs innings:

77 off 25 vs England, February 20, 2015 at Wellington: It was a group match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Winning the toss, England chose to bat, and eventually the decision backfired. Tim Southee ran over the English side with seven wickets as New Zealand restricted Eoin Morgan’s men to 123 in 33.2 overs. In response, McCullum crushed whatever little confidence left in their opponents with his fireworks. He smashed 7 sixes and 8 fours across Westpac Stadium during his knock of 77 off just 25 deliveries. That innings helped New Zealand chase down England’s paltry target of 124 in just 12.2 overs.

116 off 56 vs Australia, February 28, 2010 at Christchurch: It was the second T20I of the two-match series between New Zealand and Australia. With Australia winning the opening match, Daniel Vettori’s men were under pressure to draw the series. New Zealand wanted their most destructive batsman to step in, and McCullum obliged. He tore apart the Australian bowling line-up that featured the likes of Ryan Harris, Dan Christian and Shaun Tait with his 116 off just 56 deliveries. That sparkling innings consisted of 8 sixes and 12 fours. The match ended in a tie, and New Zealand won the Super Over to draw the series.

91 off 55 vs India, September 11, 2012 at Chennai: That was the only T20I New Zealand has played in India so far, and they won it courtesy of McCullum. He came one-down after Martin Guptill was dismissed for a duck and New Zealand were struggling at 2 for 1. The rest, as they say, is history. All Indian bowlers conceded more than six an over. His knock consisted of 3 sixes and 11 fours. However, the match converged to a tight finish, courtesy Virat Kohli’s 70. The visitors won the match by just one run.

80 off 28 vs Bangladesh, December 31, 2007 at Queenstown: This was the third ODI of the three-match series hosted by New Zealand. Although it was a low scoring match but it eventually turned into a very clear example of how big an impactful player McCullum is. Batting first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 93 runs in 37.5 overs. In reply, the New Zealand’s line-up did not have to come out to bat as McCullum himself scored 80 runs out of their target of 94 and he needed just 28 balls to achieve that. His epic innings was inclusive of six big hits and nine fours. It was 2007; the world still hadn’t seen the best of him. It was just a trailer; his best was stored for the upcoming years.

50 off 24 vs Australia, February 28, 2015 at Auckland: This was also one of the group stage matches of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. As he has done so often, McCullum got off to a flying start. That match also showed the extent to which his side depended on him: his dismissal triggered a collapse, and it took a heroic effort from Kane Williamson to seal the match. McCullum’s 24-ball 50 consisted of 3 sixes and 7 fours.

59 off 26 vs South Africa, March 24, 2015 at Auckland: The 2015 World Cup semi-final was another example of New Zealand’s dependence on their skipper. Batting first, South Africa posted a mammoth 281. In reply, McCullum once again gave a brilliant start to the Black Caps with a quick 59 with 8 fours and 4 sixes. His dismissal saw the side derail, but Grant Elliot stepped up and New Zealand qualified for a World Cup final for the very first time.

123 off 58 vs Bangladesh, September 21, 2012 at Pallekele: New Zealand were low in confidence prior to World T20 2012 after facing a whitewash by Bangladesh in the limited-overs series.  It was a group stage match, and Bangladesh had dismissed Gutpill early. Then the hosts had no clue what hit them. McCullum went on to smash 7 sixes and 11 fours in his knock of 123 off 58 balls at a magnificent strike rate of 212. The visitors won the match by 59 runs.

40 off 19 vs England, June 2, 2013 at Southampton: It was the second ODI of their three-match series against England. Although the match will be remembered for Guptill’s 155-ball 189, New Zealand’s first innings ended with McCullum’s ruthless 40 off 19 balls that ensured New Zealand reached of 359. That innings included 2 sixes and 3 fours. In reply, England were bundled out for 273, and the visitors won the match, and the series 2-1.

(Sakshi Gupta, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a sports fanatic whose mantra in life is “do only what you enjoy.” Her Twitter handle is @sakshi2929)

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