New Zealand’s convincing loss to England in their opening ODI on Monday was a surprise to say the least if recent limited-over performances is anything to go on. The fact England made over 400 runs in their innings might still seem like a dream today for their fans.
Although captain Brendon McCullum took the bulk of the responsibility for his team’s 210-run loss, after admitting he made the wrong choice having winning the toss earlier in the day, he himself celebrated a notable milestone in an already impressive career.
Throughout his 250 games so far, he has batted 219 times, scoring a total of 5818 runs with a high score of 166 to his name.
Playing at a strike rate of 94.57 and an average of 30.46, his numbers perhaps don’t paint the complete picture for him thanks to his somewhat hit-or-miss record and aggressive playing style.
McCullum simply has two ways of playing. Both include a large amount of aggression shown towards the bowler, regardless of when he comes in and who he is facing. He will then either pull-off an entertaining and fairly destructive innings or face three balls before finding his middle stump firmly uprooted.
His playing style has made him become one of the most impressive batsmen to watch while simultaneously being one of the most frustrating. It seems virtually impossible to work out what is going on in his head.
McCullum has been recognised as a member of the elite group of players credited with bringing limited overs cricket and cricket in general into a new era, a position he shares with the likes of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.
What everyone can agree on is that McCullum is exactly what New Zealand needed in a captain. His aggressive approach to cricket fits well with his troops as they are happy to follow suit with both bat and ball.
With the young and fairly inexperienced team he was presented with when he first landed the role, the New Zealand cricket team as a whole has grown leaps and bounds under his leadership, even if his own career may have stuttered somewhat.
What can be guaranteed is that McCullum will not allow for this to deter him and the next 250 games he plays (should he make it that far) will deliver everything we hope and expect.
While every player has bumps along their career, Blackcaps fan worldwide will be hoping the men in black return to winning ways come the second ODI against England and continue to work like a well oiled machine under their inspiring and attacking leader.
