A wicketkeeper-batsman who has won his place in the side after an outstanding phase in international youth cricket, where he proved a batsman well capable of completely dominating opposition attacks. On stepping up to full international status that ability initially eluded him, although there were signs of his latent firepower on the domestic scene. But he made his mark at last in 2004 in the Test series against England, where he scored 195 runs in the series including 96 at Lord's in May. And, after this near-miss he finally brought up his maiden Test century in October, on tour against Bangladesh, where he struck 143. McCullum was initially introduced for as a one-day player, but later he forced his way past Robbie Hart as the Test wicketkeeper in the series against South Africa in 2003-04. Falling tantilising short of his second Test hundred against Sri Lanka, where he had batted with Gilchrist-like verve, he made up for it with a run-a-ball 111 against Zimbabwe. He's very much part of New Zealand's one-day plans, and ought to figure prominently in the 2007 World Cup.
Full name : Brendon Barrie McCullum
Born : September 27, 1981, Dunedin, Otago
Batting style : Right-hand bat
Fielding Position : Wicketkeeper
Test debut : New Zealand v South Africa at Hamilton - Mar 10-14, 2004
Last Test : Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Bulawayo - Aug 15-19, 2005
ODI debut : Australia v New Zealand at Sydney - Jan 17, 2002
Last ODI : New Zealand v Australia at Christchurch - Dec 10, 2005
