McCullum destined for time at helm
In the New Zealand Herald, Michael Brown traces the rise of Brendon McCullum, New Zealand's 28th Test captain
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
In the New Zealand Herald, Michael Brown traces the rise of Brendon McCullum, New Zealand's 28th Test captain.
In a cold, dark villa typical of many in South Dunedin, a young Brendon McCullum picks up his phone. He shuffles into the kitchen to find some privacy and his voice lowers. It's Sir Richard Hadlee and he's not happy. McCullum has just been picked for the New Zealand cricket team as a 20-year-old and Hadlee has discovered his new wicketkeeper-batsman was at training with the Southern rugby side the previous evening. It was not acceptable, Hadlee warned, and was not to happen again or he would be overlooked for a New Zealand cricket contract. "Yeah, he was a bit grumpy," McCullum said at the time, "but I managed to calm him down a bit."