10 images that prove that Brendon McCullum is the most adventurous cricketer

New Zealand's most destructive opener has called time on his career. Brendon McCullum, New Zealand’s fearless leader will not be there for the World T20 in March to help his side claim a major trophy.Baz’s career has been one that has been filled with plenty of highs and lows. But one thing that has been constant throughout his career is his ability to entertain the audience.Whether it is a Test, ODI or T20, Baz was on hand to provide the spectators with some cheer to about, whether with the bat or chasing down a ball, like a hound going after its target.Here are 10 images that prove that Brendon McCullum is the most adventurous cricketer to have played the game.

#10 Cometh the hour, cometh the man

It is the semi-final of the World Cup, your team are chasing a stiff target to reach your first World Cup final. They are counting on you, as the captain and opener to get them off to a good start.

You are facing Dale Steyn, one of the world's best bowlers, on a pitch that is offering him some assistance. So what do you? You come down the ground and pull him over his head for six. That's McCullum for you.

#9 It\'s never too early

What do you do when you are facing your first ball of a Test match at Lord's, the home of cricket? Most batsman would just want to feel bat on ball and produce a solid defensive stroke to give them some confidence.

But McCullum is not most batsmen. Facing his first ball at Lord's against England, he just dances down the track and lofts the bowler over cover and immediately transfers the pressure back onto the bowler.

#8 Mr. un-orthodox

Your team have signed you on as their overseas player. You haven't had the greatest of series as a batsman, despite leading the side to a creditable 1-1 draw. The pressure is on you to perform.

So, what next? Just crouch down and paddle the bowler over the keeper for a six and show your team you mean business. The eyes on the keeper's face, say it all.

#7 Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it\'s Super-Mac

They say cricket is one of those games where you don't really have to put your body on the line for your team. After all, you have a bat, a pad, a helmet, gloves and so much more safety equipment to protect you and keep you from getting hit.

When you are fielding, though, you don't get that luxury (unless you field at short leg). But when you watch McCullum on the field, trying to stop a delivery from going past him or taking a diving catch, you get to see that the statement is simply not true.

The flexibility and agility he shows on the field is simply incredible and it is amazing to think that he does all this, despite starting out as a wicketkeeper.

#6 Bats are a weapon of mass destruction

Such is the size of the modern bats that even top edges go for sixes. It is not for nothing that the bowlers constantly keep complaining, as they are unable to keep the batsmen quiet.

If it was any other batsman, when the bat turns in their hand, it means they didn't hit well and are probably going to get out. But not Baz, not only does he not get out, he even gets a boundary for that shot over wide long on.

#5 One is better than two

Sometimes when McCullum is in full flow, all you should do is just sit back and marvel at the skill and confidence that he displays in playing the shots that he plays.

This one is no different. The amount of power he generates with a swivel pull off his hip, when he is just standing on one foot is simply incredible. To say he is unique, would be the understatement of the decade.

#4 Fear? What fear?

In cricket, there are lost causes. If your team are nine down and you still have a ton of runs to get, that is a lost cause. If the batsman has sweetly timed the delivery and it is racing down to the fence, then that's a lost cause.

But, with McCullum, there are no lost causes. Especially on the field, when he is chasing the ball. The amount of commitment he shows, chasing after balls that most fielders would give up on, in 10 yards is simply mind-boggling.

This photo is a perfect example of that as he doesn't even bother getting hurt. All Baz thinks about is saving that one run for his team and that is why he is loved not just by his team-mates, but also by fans all around the world.

#3 Going up and down

The scoop may be named after Dilshan, but there have been many before him and after him, that play that shot, not just as well, if not better than the Sri Lankan opener.

What this particular shot shows is not just the confidence and bravery Baz has in attempting that shot, but also the flexibility he showcases in not just getting low, but also keeping his legs wide apart to get the necessary distance on his shot.

#2 Gravity does not pull him down

Newton's law of gravity says that anything that goes up must come down. But it seems as though all those laws refuse to exist, when Baz is batting.

What is most curious about this shot is not even the audacity to attempt it, but the amount of hang time that McCullum manages to get, after hitting the ball over point for a boundary.

#1 Defying the laws of physics

They say the universe is governed by the laws of physics. But when McCullum is batting, it seems as though sometimes those laws cease to exist.

Take this shot, for instance, there is absolutely no way, he should be able to attempt that shot, let alone hit it for four. But Baz being Baz, not only attempts it but successfuly gets it to the boundary rope.