New Zealand's Brendon McCullum in action
New Zealand cricket wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum will
eventually give up the gloves to focus on batting -- it's just
a matter of when.
Coach Mark Greatbatch confirmed McCullum would keep wicket in
the two-test series against Australia starting at the Basin
Reserve next Friday despite handing up the gloves after the
first one-day international in Napier.
He was battling a sore back, and the physical rigours of
opening the batting and taking the gloves in five ODIs packed
into 10 days saw Gareth Hopkins take over behind the stumps.
But that could become a more permanent arrangement.
"He's going to have to make a decision at some stage. He's
going to be keeping in the test matches but, for himself,
he'll need to make a decision," Greatbatch said.
McCullum sowed the seeds in a television interview this week
when he revealed he would eventually like to be a batsman
only, and it clearly has been discussed with Greatbatch and
captain Daniel Vettori.
It would place more heat on McCullum in the test side to bat
in the top-six for the balance of the team, although McCullum
has tasted success higher up in the test order, even at the
lofty perch of No 3.
The 28-year-old averages 34.33 from 50 tests; 29.24 from 170
ODIs and 36.55 from 33 Twenty20 internationals at a strike
rate of 133.
In the Twenty20 and ODI series against Australia his form has
been excellent, with his unforgettable 116 not out in
Christchurch then scores of 45, 24, 23 and 61 in the ODI
series which concludes today with the fifth match at Westpac
Stadium.
He looked set for a third ODI century at Eden Park on
Thursday after cruising to 50 off 53 balls, but his innings
stalled a touch before he chipped a catch to short
mid-wicket.
"He's dynamic, the modern game it's the place to bat. There's
not any more pressure on him. I thought his performance was
solid. He's got in every time and he just hasn't converted
two of those four," Greatbatch said.
Despite his batting heroics, McCullum highlighted some of the
problems in the ODI batting lineup which collapsed badly in
Hamilton and Auckland as Australia sealed the series 3-1.
Ross Taylor (twice) and Daniel Vettori were the only New
Zealand half-centurymakers to date, with no one passing 70 as
the hosts desperately needed a batting anchor.
Greatbatch observed in Hamilton there were six New Zealand
scores over 20 but only Taylor (62) got past the
half-century.
"Hopefully we're going to be more consistent. We've got 22
ODIs before the next World Cup. We've got to start getting a
method and key people in positions that can do the job for
us."
Most of those ODIs in the coming year will be on the
subcontinent, with scheduled tours to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
and India, with the World Cup set down for the subcontinent
next February. Plenty of time to hone a coherent batting
strategy, Greatbatch hoped.
"We've got to be more ruthless. Our top order are good
players, dynamic players, but when they're dominating they
want to finish the game. (Ricky) Ponting took his luck and
got 50 off 35. (Michael) Hussey does it consistently, he
makes it happen."
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.