Brendon McCullum aiming to finish Test Career on a high

34-year-old New Zealand skipper who will retire from all forms of cricket following the end of the Test Series has called on his side to put up a good performance to end his career on a high. The Test Series will also mark the 100^th Test for Brendon McCullum. The last time that New Zealand won a one-off test at the basin reserve was 26 years ago.

“It will be nice to tick off a series win against Australia,” the swashbuckling opener said Thursday as he reminisced about his career which began in 2004 as a wicketkeeper-batsman. It will be pretty special to be able to do it at home. It’s also nice to be able to have one of your last Tests and the 100th Test on such a special ground.”

Australian skipper Steven Smith and co will look to spoil the party for McCullum.

“He’s been a terrific cricketer for New Zealand for a long time now and anyone that plays 100 Tests that’s an incredible achievement, and hopefully we can make it a pretty average one for him. We want to win. We want to be number one in all formats of the game. That’s our goal. “, said Smith

McCullum however, went on to roll back the years and comment on his aggressive batting prowess.

“I’ve been pretty strong about how I’ve gone about the style of cricket which I’ve tried to play throughout my career,” he said.

“That can have its knockers as well and at the same time, it can change a game too so that’s one thing I’ll look back on fondly as I was able to maintain that even through times which were slightly averse.”

For all the highs and lows of his career, including a back injury that has dogged him for the past six years, McCullum said that for him “the game’s always been about the changing room afterwards after you’ve been able to earn a Test win in tough circumstances”.

“You’ve got dirty whites and sweaty black caps and a beer in hand and (to) be able to look back on hard work achieved, that’s what I got into the game for and that’s going to be the last memory of the game as well.”