McCullum moves to Canterbury for new season

McCullum: moving from Otago to Canterbury for the 2003-04 season © Reuters

Otago cricket has suffered another body blow with Brendon McCullum's decision to base himself in Canterbury next summer. McCullum, the New Zealand one-day wicketkeeper, will be available for selection for the State Canterbury Wizards in the coming season.

A born-and-bred Otago player, McCullum has played all his representative cricket for Otago through the age groups. His departure follows on the heels of internationals Mark Richardson, Matt Horne and Paul Wiseman two seasons ago, and the allrounder Craig Pryor last summer.

McCullum's parents now live in the Canterbury area, although his father - batsman Stu McCullum - had had a long career with Otago. "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," McCullum said today. "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."

Canterbury Cricket's chief executive Richard Reid said he was delighted that McCullum would be available to play for the Canterbury side. "Brendon is a very talented cricketer and 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."

Otago Cricket's chief executive Graeme Elliott said he was not surprised by the announcement, but he was disappointed. "Brendon has been a product of our coaching and development system and we are very proud that he got through to Black Cap status. We are disappointed that he has so quickly moved on to bigger and better things, in his eyes, in Canterbury," he said.

However, Otago are looking forward to the continued development of Craig Cumming, who was on the verge of New Zealand selection last season, the return of Mohammad Wasim, and the continued involvement of Jeff Wilson and Warren McSkimming in the forthcoming season.