Brendon McCullum smoking in the toilet during 2015 World Cup semi final win

Autobiographies are fascinating. Listening to the first account of every opportunity reveal much more that what the media shows to us. A number of such biographical books have been released this year. AB de Villiers, Michaels Clarke and Chris Gayle are few prominent cricketing personalities who released their tell-all tales this year. Fans obviously were thrilled and the book flew off the shelves. The most recent name who has penned down his own story is former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum.

In his biography Brendon McCullum – Declared, which released today, McCullum says that he was smoking in the team toilets with two caterers in the final moments of the thrilling semifinal win over South Africa at Eden Park.

With New Zealand needing five runs off the final two balls, Grant Elliott hit a six off South African pace bowler Dale  Steyn to seal a famous win.

“Dan is desperate to get Grant on strike. He swings, misses, but takes off anyway. Grant’s on to it and charges to the striker’s end before the keeper de Kock can throw down the wicket.”

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“Eleven runs off five balls. Grant can’t do better than a single off Steyn’s second ball, so Dan’s back on strike. Ten runs off four balls. Steyn needs treatment for a calf injury, which prolongs the agony for me and forty thousand others at the ground and countless millions glued to their TV sets around the world.”

Unable to see his team in the tense situation, McCullum slid to the back room and opened is ‘pack of fags.’ However, he was not alone as two Indian caterers arrive. McCullum wasn’t bothered at all and instead asked them to join him.

“I’m in my usual position in the dunnies at the back of the dressing room, smoking and listening to the crowd. I never watch live. What does it matter if I’m out front or not? I’m better off in the changing room, trying to stay nice and relaxed, not give off too many emotions, so I can support the boys who are going out to bat.”

“There’s a tv in there of course . . . support the boys who are going out to bat. Once our last batsman has gone out to face, I retreat to the dunnies, out of range of the smoke detectors, and start working my way through a packet of fags.”

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“This time I’m not alone. Two Indian caterers, the guys who’re looking after us for our food in the changing room, join me. Like me, they can’t bear to watch. One of them says, ‘I’m really sorry Mr McCullum, but may I please have a cigarette? I am so nervous.’ So the three of us pile into my packet of fags.

Daniel Vettori and Elliot continued to weather the last over pressure. The action in the middle of the stadium continues as Steyn comes in firing all cylinders.

“Outside, Steyn comes right and charges in. Dan does what Dan does best: finds a way. He glances a ball behind square on the off and it finds the gap. Six runs needed off three balls. Dan and Grant have a chat. When Dan can’t get his bat to the next delivery, he takes off for a bye and, once again, there’s nothing South Africa can do about it. Dan has done exactly what he needed to do: put Grant on strike for the winning and the losing of the game and a place in the final. Five runs off two balls. Effectively – though I’m not sure whether Grant knows this – four runs for a tie would be enough, since we finished with more points than South Africa in the pool play and would take it on the count-back.”

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“Grant simply takes all the equations, count-backs, and even the last ball of the match out of the reckoning by pulling Steyn gloriously over mid-on for six. I never thought I’d hear a roar like the one Eden Park delivered when Kane finished off the Aussies with a six, but this is at least its equal. Everyone goes nuts.”

While the stadium went roaring and the jubilant Black Caps players began rushing towards the Vettori and Elliot, McCullum and his two new Indian mates were jumping and dancing in front of the TV in the dunny.

“In the bowels of the stadium, the two Indian caterers – I wish I knew their names – jump on me and the three of us dance around the dunnies together, then I rush through to the dressing room and out to the front. The boys are ecstatic, but out in the middle, Grant is perhaps the only one who’s still composed. After a huge victory pump and a hug with Dan, he bends down to a shattered Dale Steyn and offers him a hand up.”

“That moment encapsulates what is best about sport. Delight in your win but feel for the vanquished. Know how easily the roles could have been reversed. Know that another time they will be. That’s what’s so cruel and clear about sport: you win or you lose. The margins may be as tight as the proverbial, but it’s still win or lose, triumph or despair and there isn’t really much anyone can say to the South Africans to ease their grief. Yes, many say it’s the best one-day match they’ve ever seen, and certainly it’s the most exciting high-stakes match I’ve ever been involved with, but that’s scant consolation to the splendid team who make such a legendary match, but lose it.”