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

#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.