Home finish swayed McCullum's retirement decision

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has said the "romance" of signing off at home played a major role in his decision to quit all international formats at the end of the forthcoming Test series against Australia, in February. McCullum's Test retirement has been talked about for some time, but he was expected to travel to the World T20 in India, in March and April.

A Dunedin native originally, McCullum's last international game will be the second Test against Australia in Christchurch - the city in which he and his family now live.

"I think there's something pretty romantic about finishing playing cricket in front of New Zealand crowds and in New Zealand grounds," McCullum said. "Also we'll be playing in Christchurch and Wellington - two of the most amazing grounds.

"The Basin Reserve has the history and means a lot to New Zealanders. And Christchurch is now my established home. There's a little bit of romance there. That was certainly the focus for me. I can steel myself for another couple of battles - ones which I look forward to."

McCullum has played through back problems for some time, but suggested the prospect of spending more time with family was a more significant factor in his decision. "My body has been sore for a while, but that's just international sport. That's not it. In the end the time has come and you've got to move on.

"There's a few things I've got on the go - a matter of three kids to deal with. Maybe I'll put some time and effort back into them after selfishly chasing my dreams for the last decade or so."

New Zealand experienced a substantial resurgence in the years of McCullum's captaincy, most recently matching their record streak for undefeated home Tests - 13. The team also had its most successful Test year in 2014, when they won five Tests, and reached the final of the World Cup in March.

"This is definitely the best team that I've been involved in," McCullum said. "We've got some outstanding players. We've got some freakish players as well. We've had a great home record. If you can be bloody tough to beat at home and you seek success away from home - then you start climbing up the rankings. That's what we've done in the last couple of years.

"I guess it's up to other people to decide what sort of state you've left the team in. Hopefully I've left it in a better position than when I took it over."

New Zealand have also been known to espouse a team culture of sportsmanship and magnanimity during his years at the helm. McCullum credited the support his team enjoyed during this year's World Cup partly to their improved public image.

"The last 12 months or so, I've felt cricket is in a lot stronger place in people's minds now than what it was a while ago. There's a real feel-good factor from the fans and a real care about our team in how we go about our work. I think they look throughout the line up and the see not just good cricketers, but good kiwi blokes as well. That's always nice to see from a fans' perspective.

"The World Cup just captivated New Zealand. The playing numbers and the support we've been able to build up because of the way we played in the World Cup should see some great crowds for us this summer. That's exciting."

McCullum stopped short of endorsing Kane Williamson for the Test captaincy, but spoke effusively about Williamson's virtues as a batsman. Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, said Williamson's appointment as captain for the World T20 campaign was the "only [captaincy] decision we need to make" at present, but Williamson appears the frontrunner to take the reins in the longer format also, assuming he wants the role.

Williamson was occasionally seen setting fields during the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, and had also taken on greater responsibility in facing media, in that series.

"Kane's taken over in the past and he's done a great job," McCullum said. "I know he's looking forward to the challenge of the T20 world cup.

"He's a genius. He's going to hate me saying that. He's no. 1 in the world - and there's a lot of people in the world that pick up a bat and a pair of gloves. He's right at the top. He's a consummate professional, a champion feller, and he's only 25. He's going to be one of the best players the game's ever seen in my opinion."