v Pakistan, Abu Dhabi
November 6, 2009
The situation: New Zealand trailed 1-0 in the series after Pakistan had won the opening match by a massive 138 runs. McCullum had been bowled for 21 by Umar Gul.
What happened: Well, Gul struck again but this time it cost his team plenty. McCullum slammed 131 off 129 balls to anchor New Zealand's innings of 303 for eight. He whacked 14 fours and three sixes. The Black Caps won by 64 runs and went on to win the series 2-1. McCullum made another major contribution in the decider, belting 76 from 78 deliveries in a low-scoring game.
v Australia, Hamilton
February 20, 2007
The situation: Any win over the Australians is memorable but this game was one for the ages. The visiting side posted an imposing 346 for five. Opener Matthew Hayden scored an undefeated 181 from 166 deliveries and somehow still ended up on the losing side despite being named man of the match.
What happened: New Zealand had slumped to 116 for five and faced annihilation. But Craig McMillan and McCullum, two of the most confident cricketers this country has produced, staged a remarkable comeback. The pair added 165 for the sixth wicket. McMillan's innings of 117 from 98 deliveries was sublime. But McCullum was outstanding as well with an undefeated 86 from 91 deliveries.
v South Africa, Auckland
March 24, 2015
The situation: It was the World Cup semifinal and South Africa had slipped out of the net, recovering from 31 for two to reach 281 for five from 43 overs. Rain had intervened and the calculators came out. The Black Caps needed 298 to win.
What happened: It is part of New Zealand cricket folklore now that World Cup bolter Grant Elliott clouted the penultimate ball for six - off Dale Steyn, no less - to help win the game. But let the record show McCullum laid the foundations for the stunning victory with a batting blitzkrieg at the top. He treated Steyn and Morne Morkel with distain, whacking 59 from 26 deliveries. His assault bought the rest of the batting line-up the most precious of commodities - time.
v England, Christchurch
February 23, 2008
The situation: England had posted a useful 242 for seven. But that target started to look painfully light with McCullum and Jesse Ryder taking the long handle to the English attack at the top of the order.
What happened: McCullum and Ryder put on 103 for the first wicket. McCullum was at his punishing best, swivelling into pull shots and dispatching boundaries down the ground and through extra cover. He whacked 77 from 43 deliveries. Rain slowed the Black Caps' progress but they eventually recorded a 34-run win by the Duckworth-Lewis method.
v Australia, Christchurch
December 10, 2005
The situation: Australia was looking to complete a 3-0 series whitewash and was well placed at 331 for seven. Ricky Ponting (75) and Mike Hussey (88 not out) had plundered the bowling - again.
What happened: Scott Styris scored a century in a world-record chase. But his efforts would have been in vain had it not been for some audacious strokeplay by McCullum at the death. McCullum and Daniel Vettori carried their team to victory with an undefeated 74-run stand for the ninth wicket. Vettori slapped 23 from 12 and McCullum 50 from just 25 deliveries. McCullum batted at No 9 that day. The wicketkeeper-batsman would not stay that low in the order for much longer.
