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Brendon McCullum becomes 1st cricketer to play 100 consecutive Tests since debut

Brendon McCullum will retire from international cricket at the end of this series vs Australia.

Brendon McCullum unfortunately lost the toss on his 100th Test © Getty Images
Brendon McCullum unfortunately lost the toss on his 100th Test © Getty Images

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum becomes the first cricketer to play 100 continuous Tests since debut, without missing a single Test in between. McCullum is only the third New Zealand player after Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori to play 100 tests for New Zealand. McCullum made his Test debut against South Africa at Hamilton in 2004 and has never missed a single Test since. McCullum known for his hard-hitting and quick scoring abilities has been an excellent servant for New Zealand cricket in the longest format as well. McCullum has an excellent strike rate even in Tests, striking at over 63. This two-match Test series will be McCullum’s final series in international cricket as he has decided that he will retire from international cricket after this series.  FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 1st Test at Wellington

McCullum has left behind players like AB de Villiers and Adam Gilchrist, who played 98 and 96 Tests continuously since debut respectively. Indian duo of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar also feature in the list, having played 93 and 84 Tests. Michael Hussey of Australia played 79 continuously after making his debut in 2005. Live Updates: New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 1st Test, Day 1 at Wellington

New Zealand gave McCullum a perfect farewell in the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, as the Black Caps managed to defeat their neighbours a 2-1. They will want to put up a good show in the Test series and ensure that they win his 100th Test and also the series. McCullum has a highest score of 302, which he scored against India in the beginning on 2015. He was appointed New Zealand Test skipper the 2012-13 season after Ross Taylor was axed from the post under controversial circumstances.

He has over 6,000 runs in Tests at an average in excess of 38. He has batted in every position from No. 1 to No. 8 for New Zealand. He kept wickets for the Black Caps in the initial stages of his career. That responsibility has been taken over by BJ Watling.

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