McCullum is Roger Federer of cricket: AB de Villiers

As New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum prepares to play the last Test and the final international match of his career, wishes have been coming in from all quarters from those who have played around him and also against.

One can certainly not forget McCullum’s gesture of inviting the South African team to the New Zealand dressing room after they beat them in the World Cup 2015 semi-final. It also won him the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2015.

South African captain AB de Villiers also looked impressed with BMac’s spirit and the approach towards the game. He was quoted by NZ Herald saying, “One thing I admire the most is the fact that, off the field, he is a fantastic human being, a really good friend of mine and that is something I will always respect.”

“I truly love the way he plays the game. He plays with a lot of passion, pride and energy. It’s difficult to do that consistently.

Which sportsperson can AB relate McCullum to? “I can think of someone like a Roger Federer, who’s someone else to have achieved that throughout his career.

“Maintaining that consistency, that passion, that pride and energy… Brendon has definitely achieved that.” He said.

De Villiers also admired his energy and passion for the game. “What makes him a great cricketer is the fact he always plays with energy and passion. That is something I admire because I like to play that way.

“It is really difficult to maintain that throughout one’s career. So for him to have done that, for that many years, time and time again, I just admire that so much.”

For AB de Villiers the way McCullum led his squad right through the World Cup 2015 was a defining moment. “The youngsters who looked at that whole display of New Zealand almost winning the World Cup will be encouraged to do so in the future. So his legacy that he leaves behind leaves a good taste in everyone’s mouth.” The Protea skipper said.