5 best ODI performances by Brendon McCullum in a Black Caps jersey

“Afridi with brains” describes Brendon McCullum perfectly. Throughout his career, the Kiwi captain has found the balance between unfettered aggression and calculated restraint, making him one of his country’s finest cricketers in all three formats.Hence, with the World Twenty20 just around the corner and McCullum still so spritely in the field and so devastating with the bat, it came as a shock when he announced in December that he would retire from internationals at the conclusion of the Australia series in February.The 34-year-old has flourished and reached new heights in Test cricket in recent years, and the Kiwi carried the hopes of a nation when he led his country to the World Cup final on home soil last year. The New Zealanders, neutrals and even opposition who have relished watching him have been left somewhat quizzical by his choice to call it quits while at the peak of his powers.But his decision is final and, as we bid Baz a fond, albeit seemingly premature farewell, it’s fitting to look back and marvel over his best moments in a Black Caps jersey. Here are McCullum’s five best innings for New Zealand in One-Day Internationals.

#1 86* v Australia in Hamilton, 2007

A match-clinching 86 and that was then the second-highest ODI chase.

One of the all-time great ODI chases wouldn’t have been possible without McCullum’s firepower, but he and Craig McMillan ensured New Zealand pulled off an almighty heist against Australia in Hamilton nine years ago.

The Aussies redefined dominance during this era – they were unbeaten in World Cups since 1999 and regularly posted monstrous targets – but they had suffered a rare series defeat and hoped to restore pride heading into the upcoming World Cup. And, when Matthew Hayden propelled them to 346, and the fast bowlers reduced their Oceanic rivals to 41-4, normal service looked to be resumed.

But McMillan and McCullum had other ideas. Helped by Peter Fulton’s pacey half-century, the two set to work, doing their best to keep up with the required rate. McMillan, the elder statesman, blasted 117 to give them a chance, but when he fell, New Zealand became outsiders once more with 66 still required from 8.4 overs, and just four wickets left.

Enter McCullum. The wicket-keeper coped with the dismissals of James Franklin and Daryl Tuffey, before receiving essential support from Mark Gillespie, who added a rapid 28. Still, when he was run out, New Zealand were eight runs short and down to their final life.

Ever the swashbuckler, McCullum sealed the deal and an unprecedented whitewash with a maximum off Nathan Bracken to tie the scores, followed by a slash through the backward point which skittled to the ropes. A match-clinching 86 and what was then the second-highest ODI chase – not bad for a day’s work.

#2 77 v England at 2015 World Cup

McCullum’s 25-ball 77 was a true video game knock.

In truth, the result of New Zealand’s World Cup contest against England in 2015 was never in doubt by the time the former came to bat. Tim Southee’s swing had bamboozled seven English batsmen, leaving the home side a measly 124 chase in front of a raucous Wellington crowd. But the nature of McCullum’s assault was stunning.

The T20 era has seen the limits of attack stretched beyond what was thought possible, and McCullum’s 25-ball 77 was a true video game knock. Forget sighters, he cut his second ball for six before powerfully depositing three more Stuart Broad deliveries to the fence in that over. Steven Finn then suffered the brunt of McCullum’s anger, being taken for 20 in his first over, and four consecutive Baz maximums in his next.

By the time he departed - just 43 balls into the innings - McCullum had left England shell-shocked, the crowd hypnotised and his side just 19 runs from victory. Most importantly, he had kick-started New Zealand and set the tone for their most successful World Cup campaign.

#3 131 v Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, 2009

This is McCullum’s best innings against a top team

McCullum’s 131 versus Pakistan in 2009 was instrumental to New Zealand’s victory in the series-levelling second ODI in Abu Dhabi. The run-a-ball effort marked his highest ODI score against a Test-playing nation, and anchored New Zealand to a match-winning 303 from their 50 overs.

The innings, which demonstrated copious amounts of aggression and control (he batted until the 47th over), complemented Martin Guptill’s 62 and Daniel Vettori’s dogged 30 and pushed the Kiwis forward, despite the rest of the top order failing to fire. Jacob Oram then struck 33 not out in the final stages to add late impetus.

Three wickets from Scott Styris and two each for Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori allowed New Zealand to ease to a comfortable 64-run win; they then snatched the series in the decider with a thrilling seven-run success. While perhaps not one of McCullum’s most memorable innings, it was, statistically speaking, his best against a top team, and one that gave the Black Caps momentum to claim a series win.

#4 79 v England in Auckland, 2013

McCullum carted 79 from 68 balls after New Zealand’s backs were against the wall

Great individual performances don’t always result in a team triumph – just ask Sachin Tendulkar. New Zealand’s backs were against the wall against England in 2013 and, although his team eventually lost the series finale, McCullum’s no-holds-barred fightback in the face of adversity spoke volumes.

On a tricky wicket to bat, McCullum counter-attacked after the Kiwis found themselves perilously poised at 64-4 with nearly half of their innings complete. His explosive style proved an adept antidote to England’s pacers and spinner Graeme Swann, as he carted 79 from 68 balls in an innings littered with six fours and five sixes. McCullum lacked support from the tail, and he eventually holed out to deep midwicket to end the Black Caps’ innings on 185.

Ultimately, England were rarely threatened in their pursuit of the tiny target – they reached it with 12 overs to spare and five wickets in hand. But McCullum’s act of defiance encapsulated what he brought to the field as a cricketer, and what he brought to the dressing room as a captain.

#5 59 v South Africa in 2015 World Cup

Baz clobbered 59 in 26 balls and put the South African quicks on the backfoot.

It wasn’t the largest innings ever, not by a long stretch. But in New Zealand’s crucial semi-final World Cup match against South Africa at Eden Park last year, they needed their captain to step up – especially in an adjusted 43-over chase of 299. The pressure was on, and if the Kiwis were going to break their semi-final duck, they had to seize the initiative and put the South Africans - who have a decorated choking record - on the back foot.

The short and peculiar boundaries at Eden Park offered McCullum the opportunity to make full use of his 360-degree hitting skills, and he did. The South African quicks were blitzed for six overs as Baz clobbered 59 in 26 balls. Eight boundaries and six maximums brought an intimidating seven-an-over pursuit down to a testing, but much more achievable six-an-over in around 30 minutes.

We all know the rest. Grant Elliott’s nerveless 84 not out shepherded New Zealand home in Auckland, with a sweetly swotted six over long-on. There was to be no fairytale world title in Melbourne, but the Black Caps exceeded expectations with their dashing brand of cricket. A brand which oozed Brendon McCullum, a brand he stayed faithful to until the end.