McCullum patched up after Johnson blow

A nation held its breath for a moment when Brendon McCullum was struck on the arm by Mitchell Johnson at Eden Park, but the prognosis for the New Zealand captain is positive with no initial signs of serious injury.

The blow occurred in the third over of the innings when Johnson went into short-pitched mode and McCullum could not get out of the way of the delivery. Images showed extensive swelling on his forearm, but below the elbow which could have been a far nastier area to be struck.

He was not sent for an x-ray or scan after his innings of 50 off 24 balls, instead receiving ice treatment in the dressing room. McCullum appeared at the post-match presentation with the arm heavily strapped but was in good spirits after New Zealand's hairy one-wicket victory.

A spokesman said the arm was "very sore" and he will be reassessed on Sunday morning ahead of the team splitting up for a few days prior to their next match against Afghanistan in Napier next Sunday.

"I think he's okay," Kane Williamson said. "It's a bit of a concern when a ball that fast hits you on the arm, but he's tough competitor so I'm sure he'll be fine.

Although McCullum was clearly feeling the injury for the rest of his innings, it did not significantly hamper him as he clubbed a further six fours and a six before picking out mid-off which began New Zealand's first wobble.

McCullum may now be grateful of another lengthy gap before the Afghanistan game. If he was forced to miss a match at the tournament, Williamson would be the man to step into the captaincy but it would leave a vast hole to fill in the hosts' team.