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Is criticism of Brendon McCullum justified?

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
Pretty sure Jeets picked up at least in the first innings of that game, so the spinners grabbed 2.

I do think that in future summers we should still be looking to play a spinner, if only because we'll never progress away from home without one, and you can't really be expected to develop as a player if you're only picked once out of every 2 years for a 2 test series against batsmen who are extremely good players of spin already. It'd be like us giving up on specialist openers and just picking the best middle-order bats in the country to fill the spots.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
It'd be like us giving up on specialist openers and just picking the best middle-order bats in the country to fill the spots.
Nah, spin bowling isn't compulsory; opening the batting is.

The idea that you can't develop your game unless you're playing Test cricket all year round is absurd anyway IMO.
 

SteveNZ

Cricketer Of The Year
So yeah, tell us again how McCullum isn't worth his place?
We're not worthy, oh wise one.

Look, as I said previously, I questioned his place based on output of runs v Jesse. And I also put an asterix next to Jesse's name based on he's never shown an ability to keep himself together long enough to stay an asset to our national side, and so it proved.

I'm sure you can appreciate how a player Brendon's ability copped a bit of heat for going three years without scoring a Test hundred, and being dismissed in some truly terrible ways.

I'm the first to put my hand up and say I doubted he'd produce Test hundreds again, let alone these incredible feats. Couldn't be happier for him, because this has gone a very long way towards painting his career in the light that is befitting of a guy of his ability, and by all accounts work ethic as well. I always felt he was poorly treated through no fault of his own through the Ross v Brendon saga (and felt he was the best man for the job all along) and all parties have put that behind them to the point they will become significantly more revered in the overall scheme of NZ cricket.
 

jonbrooks

International Debutant
The criticism always came from everyone being frustrated that a man of his obvious cricketing talent proceeded to be so mediocre for so much of his career. Much like the Mitchell Johnson criticism for many years - so bloody inconsistent while everyone knew what he could do on his day.

This kind of innings probably makes the past criticism all the more justified - he's played a brilliant knock under pressure, with every possible circumstance set against him (short of bowling attack quality).

The past five Tests suggest he is either in a rich vein of form right now, or he's turning a corner as a batsman. Not dissimilar to Johnson coming out of the Ashes - the chosen one finally repaying the faith in his talent. This kind of turnaround doesn't make the earlier criticism any less valid though - he should have been able to play quality innings far more often than he has, especially between the India double ton and the start of this summer.
Yes, I think you've summed it up rather nicely here. McCullum is a very talented batsman who has under-performed for a number of years. The stats don't lie.

I guess it remains to be seen if he has indeed turned the corner with his batting or he's just in top form. I am hoping it's the former.
 

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