Cricket: Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum retires

Former NZ skipper Brendon McCullum.
Former NZ skipper Brendon McCullum. Photo credit: Photosport

Former Blackcaps captain Brendon McCullum has announced his retirement from all competitive forms of cricket. 

The 37-year-old will officially call stumps on a 20-year-career after the Global T20 league, currently running in Canada. 

McCullum played 101 tests for the Blackcaps, averaging a respectable 38.64 with the bat and achieving New Zealand's highest-ever individual test score of 302 against India in 2014.

McCullum also played 260 one-day internationals and 71 Twenty20 internationals.

He registered 6453 test runs, including 12 centuries, and he is third on New Zealand's all-time list of highest test runscorers.

"It is with pride and satisfaction that I am today announcing my retirement from all cricket, following the conclusion of the GT20 in Canada," McCullum said.

"As much as I am proud of what I've achieved - more than I ever could have dreamed - I have felt the drive to keep going, harder to maintain in recent months.

"My style of cricket has always been full noise, full throttle. Unfortunately, the sacrifices needed and commitment required to play that type of cricket have now become too great." 

The Dunedin native skippered New Zealand at the 2015 Cricket World Cup, powering his side into the final against Australia in Melbourne, after an undefeated campaign on home soil. 

McCullum retired from from international cricket in 2016, after a home test seres loss to Australia. 

The former wicketkeeper has since travelled the globe, playing T20 cricket in Australia, India, West Indies, Bangladesh, England and Canada. 

In recent years, McCullum has transitioned into the commentary box, performing that role at the Cricket World Cup in England earlier this year. 

Newshub.