Brendon McCullum to play cricket for Canterbury

TelstraClear Black Caps one-day international wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum will play domestic cricket for the State Canterbury Wizards in the 2003/04 season.

McCullum, who is from Dunedin and who has grown up playing representative cricket for Otago, said he was looking forward to a new challenge.

"I have enjoyed playing cricket in Dunedin and I am extremely grateful to Otago Cricket for the support it has shown me and contribution it has made towards my cricketing development.

"However my fiancee and I feel the time has come for a change of environment and I am excited about moving to Christchurch and looking forward to playing cricket for Canterbury."

Canterbury Cricket chief executive Richard Reid said he was delighted McCullum would be playing cricket for Canterbury.

"Brendon is a very talented cricketer I am sure he will make a significant contribution to Canterbury Cricket and the State Canterbury Wizards.

"I am also confident we have the structure and support systems in place to help Brendon with his continued development as both a domestic and international player."