Brendon McCullum reveals he was smoking during the tense World Cup 2015 finish against South Africa

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has revealed he couldn’t watch the dramatic endings of the World Cup semi-final against South Africa in 2015 and started smoking in the team toilets.In his biography called ‘Brendon McCullum-Declared’ which was released on Thursday, he made the startling revelations adding there were also two caterers who were with him.

In the match at Eden Park, New Zealand needed five runs of the last two deliveries and all-rounder Grant Elliot smashed a six off Dale Steyn to pull off a famous win.

“I never watch live. What does it matter if I'm out front or not? I'm better off in the changing room, trying to stay nice and relaxed, not give off too many emotions, so I can support the boys who are going out to bat,” McCullum wrote.

“There's a tv in there of course . . . support the boys who are going out to bat. Once our last batsman has gone out to face, I retreat to the dunnies, out of range of the smoke detectors, and start working my way through a packet of fags.”

“This time I'm not alone. Two Indian caterers, the guys who're looking after us for our food in the changing room, join me. Like me, they can't bear to watch. One of them says, 'I'm really sorry Mr. McCullum, but may I please have a cigarette? I am so nervous.' So the three of us pile into my packet of fags.”

The now 35-year-old also gave vivid details of how Daniel Vettori and Elliot won them the game. It was Elliot who had hit the six then but McCullum says even a four would have ensured their place in the final.

“Outside, Steyn comes right and charges in. Dan does what Dan does best: finds a way. He glances a ball behind square on the off and it finds the gap. Six runs needed off three balls. Dan and Grant have a chat. When Dan can't get his bat to the next delivery, he takes off for a bye and, once again, there's nothing South Africa can do about it,” he wrote.

“Dan has done exactly what he needed to do: put Grant on strike for the winning and the losing of the game and a place in the final. Five runs off two balls. Effectively - though I'm not sure whether Grant knows this - four runs for a tie would be enough since we finished with more points than South Africa in the pool play and would take it on the count-back.”

McCullum also said that Elliot’s was a controversial selection but he was given a chance because of his experience.

“Grant was a controversial selection in the squad, but we knew we might need his composure and experience for just such an occasion.”

“In the bowels of the stadium, the two Indian caterers - I wish I knew their names - jump on me and the three of us dance round the dunnies together, then I rush through to the dressing room and out to the front. The boys are ecstatic, but out in the middle, Grant is perhaps the only one who's still composed. After a huge victory pump and a hug with Dan, he bends down to a shattered Dale Steyn and offers him a hand up.”