Brendon McCullum
New Zealand

Brendon McCullum

  • Wicket-keeper Batsman
  • Retired

Swashbuckling keeper turned opener who gave New Zealand its no-fear era.

  • Date of Birth 27 Sep 1981 (44)
  • Team New Zealand
  • Birthplace Dunedin
  • Batting Right-hand bat
Profile

About the Player

When Brendon McCullum first arrived in international cricket, he was an unpolished wicketkeeper good for a punchy lower-order cameo. By the end he was a reinvented opening batsman who redefined aggression at the top of the order, having given up the gloves to concentrate on destruction.

His fearless approach peaked in his final years. In 2014 he hammered 302 against India in Wellington, the first triple century by a New Zealander in Tests, and in his farewell Test in 2016 he smashed the fastest Test century of all, off 54 balls against Australia. In limited-overs cricket his strike rate terrified bowlers, and his 158 in the opening match of the inaugural IPL in 2008 effectively launched the league.

As captain from 2012 to 2016 he instilled a no-fear culture that reinvigorated New Zealand cricket and carried the side to the 2015 World Cup final. Since moving into coaching he has transplanted that mindset into England's Test team, and from 2025 their white-ball sides as well, as the figurehead of the aggressive approach known as Bazball.

Player Details

Country
New Zealand
Role
Wicket-keeper Batsman
Batting Style
Right-hand bat
Bowling Style
Right-arm medium
Date of Birth
27 September 1981 (44)
Birthplace
Dunedin
Status
Retired
On the field

Style and Honours

Playing Style

  • Batting Style Right-hand bat
  • Bowling Style Right-arm medium
  • Plays As Wicket-keeper Batsman

Career Highlights

  • Wisden Cricketer of the Year

    2016
By the numbers

Career Statistics

Career statistics by format
FormatMatchesInningsRunsHighest ScoreBatting AverageStrike RateCatchesStumpings
Test 89 157 5,778 302 38.78 65.59 165 9
ODI 212 186 5,157 131 31.45 96.45 212 14
IPL 109 111 2,882 158 27.71 131.60 38 6
Domestic T20 190 193 5,140 158 30.60 137.99 85 8
First-class 1 2 47 33 23.50 69.12 2 ·
List A 3 3 228 110 76.00 128.09 · ·

Statistics Last Updated: 10 July 2026

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