FROM THE ARCHIVE: Brendon McCullum, the one-man cricketing revival

In the summer of 2015, Brendon McCullum’s stock was at an all-time high. He had recently guided his New Zealand side to the World Cup final, where they agonisingly lost to co-hosts Australia at the MCG

In the summer of 2015, Brendon McCullum’s stock was at an all-time high. He had recently guided his New Zealand side to the World Cup final, where they agonisingly lost to co-hosts Australia at the MCG. Adding to this achievement was a rare Test victory at Headingley in June. Playing in a modern, expansive style, McCullum’s team demolished England’s bowling attack to win by 199 runs. Here’s Simon Hughes, our Editor, discussing the brilliance of a Kiwi legend.

His incredible bat speed launched T20 into the stratosphere. His extraordinary audacity lit up the World Cup. 

McCullum is passionate and fearless. It is a winning combination. He throws himself into any contest with total commitment. He injects any game with vitality. He tries to win from any situation. He believes in the impossible. When his team went one down against England and the forecast suggested lost time in the second Test at Headingley, his response was simple. Score the runs you need anyway, just in half the time. Players, teams, supporters and imparitals are borne along by his energy and optimism.

This is his philosophy: “Remember how you felt as a kid when you hoped it was sunny when you opened the curtains so you could play cricket? That’s the feeling I want us to reconnect with. The pure fun and excitement and enjoyment of playing the game. We are so lucky to be doing what we do.” And he said this warming up on a dirty Leeds day of arctic winds, horizontal rain and dingy light.

McCullum flung himself about the field that day, twice cannoning into the advertising hoardings trying to save a boundary. He has strappings and bandages all over his body and his stomach rattles with painkillers. But his commitment is total. Everything for the team. He hit his first ball for six (over cover) in one innings and registered one boundary in an hour in the other. He plays the situation. When it was announced that he had become only the second New Zealander to pass 6,000 Test runs, he raised his bat vaguely in celebration. He has no ego. He is a wonderful advert for unselfishness.

He plays hard, he plays with flair. He challenges opponents to do the same. When Ian Bell planted Mark Craig straight for six, did McCullum put the field back? No, he kept them up and posted a silly point. Bell, non-plussed, almost succumbed. Never mind offering a masterclass in how to decimate a bowling attack, he regularly supplies an essential guide to attacking captaincy. All current or future England captains take note.

Best of all, when the landmarks are reached or the match is done and the spoils are taken, McCullum heartily applauds his opponents. He respects his fellow players. He is the ultimate foe on the field and friend off it. And neither he, nor any other New Zealander, sledges. Not a word. Anyone still uncertain what the MCC’s Spirit of Cricket is: the definition is Brendon McCullum.