Happy Birthday Brendon McCullum: From acrobatic fielding to blistering knocks, here are few must-watch innings by Kiwi batter - Watch

Twitter Image

Legendary New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter and current England Test head coach Brendon McCullum turned 41 on Tuesday. During his playing days for the Kiwis from 2002 till 2016, he established himself as one of the greatest players from his country, achieving some memorable records that stand till this day. McCullum represented NZ in 101 Test matches, scoring 6,453 runs at an average of 38.64, with best individual score of 302. He has 12 centuries and 31 half-centuries to his name. The batter is the first ever from New Zealand to score a triple-century in the longer format. McCullum has also represented his side in the most number of Tests without interruption due to injury etc. This shows the level of fitness he had as a player. He played all of his 101 Tests without his form, body, life interrupting his work in any way, which is fifth-highest in Test history and the highest by a Kiwi player.

Brendon MCcullum the fielder. pic.twitter.com/ajtIn9yMSO

— Ahmed. (@ahmixdd) September 27, 2022

Brendon McCullum - 2015 CWC

The Streets Won't Forget pic.twitter.com/d4b7HXY0W2 — savage.32 (@perth__106) September 27, 2022

A small glimpse of Brendon McCullum's fielding masterclass all this in 1 match......!pic.twitter.com/FgqkFzV4Ok — Akram Khan (@AkramK2108) September 27, 2022

A small glimpse of Brendon McCullum's fielding masterclass all this in 1 match......!pic.twitter.com/FgqkFzV4Ok

— Akram Khan (@AkramK2108) September 27, 2022

One of cricket's most entertaining batters _

_ Brendon McCullum celebrates his birthday today.#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/dBOOVW2zqU — Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) September 27, 2022

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDON MCCULLUM ___ pic.twitter.com/ceNk7BVbfa — akhya khara (@AkhyaKhara) September 27, 2022

Birthday Boy Brendon McCullum said goodbye to international Cricket in 2016 by breaking the record for the fastest Test hundred @ Christchurch vs Australia. Reached 100 off 54 Balls. @Bazmccullum hit(21 4s & 6 6s) in his ings of 145. Scored 25 in 2nd ingspic.twitter.com/uInh4zoCYQ — Zohaib (Cricket King) _ (@Zohaib1981) September 27, 2022

Happy Birthday Brendon McCullum (NL).
Owns one of the famous centuries in T20 cricket - 158 / 73 balls in inaugural IPL, also guided the side to their first World Cup final. England Head Coach now. @Bazmccullum 1st Test 100 vs Bangladesh at Dhaka 2004.pic.twitter.com/WfRt7Ybkb3 — Zohaib (Cricket King) _ (@Zohaib1981) September 27, 2022

_Fastest ever Test century: 54 balls
_Most sixes in Test history: 107
_Highest score by NZ Test batter: 302
_The first IPL centurion & Second highest score: 158
_In T20 1st Player To Score (500, 1000, 1500, 2000)

Happy Birthday Brendon McCullum (Bazz ) @Bazmccullum pic.twitter.com/vImIAHSlF3 — || DADA-NTR || (@NandaTony399) September 26, 2022

happy birthday king Brendon McCullum __ pic.twitter.com/Z9KN8kVuHo — _____. (@iparthjoshii) September 27, 2022

Before the advent of T20Is and a better frequency of sixes that came with it, McCullum used to play ODI cricket in Tests, hitting bowlers for long sixes at will. He has hit 107 sixes in his Test career, most by any player. In another proof of his dominance in the longer format, he also hit the fastest century in Tests, scoring it in just 54 balls during a Test against Australia in 2016.

In 260 ODIs, McCullum has scored 6,083 runs at an average of 30.41. His best individual score in the format is 166. Five centuries and 32 half-centuries have come out of his bat in the format. He is the first New Zealander to lead his side to a World Cup final, doing so back in 2015. But he could not win a World Cup for his country, losing to Australia in the summit clash.

In T20Is, he has represented his country in 71 matches, scoring 2,140 runs at an average of 35.66. His best individual score of 123 in the format is also the highest score ever by a wicketkeeper in 20-over format. Besides his exploits at the national level, his knock of 158 off just 73 balls in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its very first match made the league and himself a household name worldwide. His stature as the first-ever IPL centurion led to contracts pouring from domestic leagues worldwide.

He finished his T20 career with 370 matches, 9,922 runs under his belt at an average of 29.97. His best score in the format is 158*. Seven centuries and 55 half-centuries have been scored by him in T20 cricket. After his retirement in 2016 from international cricket, he took to coaching, mentoring Caribbean Premier League side Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to their 4th title. He also coached Kolkata Knight Riders, leading them to a runners-up position in 2021 just when things looked terrible for them in the group stage.

Currently, he is the head coach of England's Test side. His combination with captain Ben Stokes have revived England's test side. Once struggling to win Tests, England went on to win series against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-1) under his guidance. The word 'Bazball' has become a name for the aggressive, positive and 'win at any cost' brand of cricket played by England under his coaching.