Today is Brendon McCullum's final ODI.
He has reinvented ODI opening batting this last year. We have seen pinch hitters before, but McCullum's innings at Wellington last Saturday really sums up what he does.
He scored 28 from 18 balls, then got out.
He gives New Zealand very rapid starts, then commits cricketing suicide, usually before the seventh over of the innings.
I have seen two New Zealand ODIs in person this last year, both against Australia at the World Cup.
At Eden Park they won by one wicket, but his dismissal sparked a huge collapse. At the MCG his first over dismissal literally ended the match before it had begun.
It has been a wild ride, but I must confess that I think his opening style creates more problems for his team.
He has reinvented ODI opening batting this last year. We have seen pinch hitters before, but McCullum's innings at Wellington last Saturday really sums up what he does.
He scored 28 from 18 balls, then got out.
He gives New Zealand very rapid starts, then commits cricketing suicide, usually before the seventh over of the innings.
I have seen two New Zealand ODIs in person this last year, both against Australia at the World Cup.
At Eden Park they won by one wicket, but his dismissal sparked a huge collapse. At the MCG his first over dismissal literally ended the match before it had begun.
It has been a wild ride, but I must confess that I think his opening style creates more problems for his team.