Poll: Should Brendon McCullum have played the World T20

Brendon McCullum’s captaincy has been recognised by world cricket’s governing body, winning him the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award. The Black Caps skipper, who on Tuesday announced that he will retire from international cricket following the Test series against Australia in February, has been widely lauded for his hard but fair approach to captaincy. It was clearly evident throughout the 2015 World Cup and particularly in the semi-final win over South Africa when he invited AB de Villiers and his side to the New Zealand dressing room after the match. With the World T20 just a few months away, his decision to retire prior to it has taken the fans by surprise around the world.

McCullum made his New Zealand debut as a 20-year-old batsman in an ODI against Australia at Sydney in 2002. His Test debut came two years later against South Africa in Hamilton and the 34-year-old has gone on to play 98 more Tests for New Zealand on the trot. He has scored 6,273 Test runs with 11 tons and 31 half-centuries at an average of 38.48, including the only triple century by a New Zealand batsman. His knock of 302 is his highest Test score which came against India last year.

The inspirational Kiwi captain has scored 5,909 runs in 254 ODIs with 5 tons and 31 fifties including a career best of 166 against Ireland in July 2008. The right-handed batsman is probably the most destructive in the shortest format and is the only player with two centuries in T20Is. He also has the second-highest score in Twenty20 cricket across the world, an unbeaten 158 in the Indian Premier League. He has a strike-rate of over 136 in the 20-over game and has also scored 13 half-centuries. He will retire after the 2 home Tests against Australia in February with the second match, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 20th February 2016, being his last.

With his career on a high and New Zealand playing as well as they have ever had in their history, McCullum has decided to say a goodbye. New Zealand team was talked about as potential winners with so many of their players having played T20 cricket in the sub-continent. The side also had a nice balance to it and with one of the most lethal T20 batsmen in the world as captain. Surely McCullum had to take them to India and lead his team from the front.

“I think there’s something romantic about finishing playing in front of New Zealand crowds,” he recently told reporters in Christchurch. The statement clearly reflects his emotions about ‘home retirement’. The man has earned greater respect after this decision as very few players could have avoided the temptation of playing in a world event. We’d like fans to vote their opinion about the retirement of this modern-day entertainer.

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