'McCullum is leaving behind a blueprint on how to captain'
Reader: Aimwand
Cricket aficionados often take refuge in hyperbole when some one of significance retires. But Jarrod has found a right note in his tribute. McCullum, a player we celebrate both for his failing and triumphs. After Sehwag, McCullum was one batsman I suspended my life to watch when he was at the crease. Good news was he didn't often allow the suspension to last too long. He got out before my life called me back. He might be a 'candle in the wind' when it comes to batting, but he is a pioneer as a captain. He is leaving behind a blueprint on how to captain, especially in modern ODI cricket. However, I am not optimistic most existing captains would use it as a reference. By the way Jarrod, he didn't just inspire his own country to rally behind his team during the world cup. He inspired a non-Kiwi like me to cheer for New Zealand. More importantly, he inspired supporting characters of cricket like Guptill, Elliot, Southee and Boult to transform into leading men of the game in progress.
McCullum pleased with 'fitting' farewell
Reader: michael dickson
End of an era, and a really exciting one for us Black Caps supporters. The last couple of years has been phenomenal, and Baz really inspired his team to believe in the team and what they're doing, leading to some fantastic results. This Australian side is excellent, make no mistake. Beating them is tremendously difficult, their attitude and self belief adds to their incredible talent and makes beating them the ultimate achievement. Thanks for the memories Brendon, hope you don't require such a combination of painkillers for the remainder of your life as you did simply to be able to take the field. All the best, good sir, and if you stay involved with NZC in some capacity, there's a lot people could gain from you.
Reader: paddynair
Brendon McCullum is simply a phenomenal guy. There have been many great cricketers in the past but none have been able to lift New Zealand to this level. He is playing a brand of cricket,that perhaps New Zealand played during the 1992 world cup (then were outshone by the Sri Lankans) but not since. It is a fearless adventurous brand of cricket, that has raised New Zealand's image no end in the cricket world. Hope the next captain would be able to emulate this though I doubt - boots are too big.
Reader: lyle_naidoo
There are tournaments that you associated with players: 96 WC was Jayasuriya and the revolution of the first 15 overs; 99 WC was Klusener and the evolution of the pinch hitting all rounder. 2015 was the year of BMAC and the age of all out captaincy aggression. He defined a tournament and a year by the way he led the side. He took all of his attitude and aggression in batsmanship and applied it brilliantly to the way that NZ played their cricket and the results speak for themselves. Well played Mac, very well played. You left the game in far better shape than you found it, and that is the measure of a truly great player and captain.
Reader: KerneelsMerkII
He seems a complex man and a great cricketer. I always wonder how many greats like Faulkner fell by the wayside because they were not part of the England /Australia narrative around the time of the wars. This is not a criticism on anyone, merely the way things were. Also, and this is a difficult topic, I often wonder at the relationship between cricket(ers) and metal illness - is it more prevalent in cricket than in other sports, or is it simply more spoken about. Does Cricket attract the personality, or does it create the personality...?
Why not make administrators our role models?
Reader: Nutcutlet
The importance of role models cannot be over emphasised. Youngsters - especially ones left (too much) to their own devices will adopt the behaviours and attitudes of those they look up to. Of course, ideally, these should be the fine upstanding exemplars of decency, integrity, etc. called parents/guardians. But parents don't tend to be exciting and they're so often soo busy bolstering the material prosperity of their offspring. Fed up, caught in unexciting lives, children look to those with skills, talent, and usually great wealth, in entertainment/sport: young men and women who are young adults -driven, ambitious and lacking 'rounded edges'. For that reason it is vital that a sense of perspective is kept. Those role models live in a fantasy world inhabited by very few. Anyone who influences youngsters has a moral obligation to remember that, and to be human and admit your mistakes is the beginning of that process. A bit more humility is something this age lacks. It needs teaching!
The mark Chanderpaul left on me
Reader: rohanmarkjay
Shiv Chanderpaul has been one of the few bright lights for WI cricket in the last 20 years. A model consistency and performance during a very lean period for WI cricket which is still continuing. The weakness of WI cricket has been very bad for the sport. Its good to see South Asian teams doing well. But no one can deny a weak WI is very bad for cricket. Imagine Brazil consistently being on the bottom of world football rankings well that is exactly what has happened to cricket. That and the phil hughes incident is going to make cricket less popular outside of South Asia where it is still popular. Only maybe in South Asia will cricket continue to be popular and that only the limited overs variety.