2nd Test: Australia determined to ruin Brendon McCullum’s farewell party

Despite his prowess in one-day internationals and Twenty20s, McCullum is pleased his last game is a Test and will be played in the city he shifted to from Dunedin a decade ago to raise his young family.

McCullum ends his glorious career after the second Test against Australia starting in Christchurch on Saturday.

Smith wanted Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Mitch Marsh and recalled express paceman James Pattinson to stick to their strengths on the weekend. It was not long before he won over his critics, moulding the side in his image; exciting, brash and fair, something which the ICC recognised, awarding the ICC Spirit of Cricket award 2015 to McCullum and New Zealand.

But he may have a bit more work to do yet, if the McCullum non-dismissal is any indication.

McCullum, who will be making his final worldwide appearance in the second Test also confirmed that the team management is yet to decide whether or not to field a four-man pace attack.

The cricketing gods again failed to smile on McCullum as his luckless run with the toss continued. New Zealand are expected to bring in Matt Henry, their most successful bowler against Australia in the preceding One-Day International series.

The New Zealand wicketkeeper batsman will represent Trinbago Knight Riders, one of six franchises in the CPL.

Kane Williamson and Henrry Nicholls contiunued to get a working over, with Williamson sure to have a few bruises after getting struck on the inner thigh several times with the ball nipping back off the seam. Batting with the initials PH beneath the silver fern on his shirt, McCullum said he was relying on instinct as he smacked the fastest century by a New Zealander, reaching three figures in 78 deliveries.

There was going to be no poking and prodding from McCullum.

The 31-year-old’s control and economy, pivotal in the visitors taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, will be hard to replicate.

The New Zealand captain came to the wicket with his team in trouble at 32-3 half an hour before lunch and had hit 37 from 18 balls by the break. He toiled for 67 minutes until he was brilliantly caught by Steve Smith at second slip off Bird. He scored one run in the first 11 balls he faced and then opened up.