Brendon McCullum's top career highlights in pictures

Brendon McCullum will go down in the history books as one of the most prolific New Zealand cricketers to ever play the game. That was never in question as he went about shaping his legacy. But along the way he carved his name among the greatest cricketers of all time with some of his outstanding records.New Zealand has been in the shadow of Australia, literally and figuratively, for ages. Watching Brendon McCullum go about his business, you would never guess that he is leading a side which most would think has no standing with the big boys. With the announcement of his retirement, McCullum has left a void in New Zealand cricket, and in the sport in general which won’t be filled anytime soon. Here is a look at his outstanding career in pictures:

#1 Leading New Zealand cricket

McCullum made New Zealand proud

Brendon McCullum led New Zealand from the forefront. While he captained New Zealand, he scored 1887 runs at an average of 33.69 in 62 ODI’s. That is testament to his remarkable consistency.

Tim Southee of New Zealand complimented McCullum, saying “Probably the reason why New Zealand cricket is where it’s today is through his captaincy, his aggressive nature and the way he manages players. His man management is outstanding. The attacking mindset that he brings in is probably the reason why we are where we are today,”

New Zealand had faced six losses in the semi-finals in the World Cup. McCullum became the very first New Zealand captain to lead them to the World Cup Finals in 2015. Although they lost to Australia, he served as a driving force in changing the entire culture of the team and giving them a taste of success.

McCullum led New Zealand to a 36-22 record in ODIs.

#2 Unbeaten 158 runs in IPL 2008

McCullum hit an unbeaten 158 runs to help KKR defeat RCB

Brendon McCullum made sure to start off the 2008 IPL with a bang for the Kolkata Knight Riders. In the inaugral match of the IPL, McCullum took to the crease and did not score a single run in the first six deliveries he faced.

What followed can be described as a whirlwind, as McCullum smashed an unbeaten 158 runs from just 73 balls. His singlular effort propelled KKR to a 222/3 scoreline. Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to mount a chase as they were all out for 82 runs.

McCullum’s record stood until Chris Gayle surpassed it with 175 runs off 66 balls in 2013.

#3 Most number of sixes

McCullum gazed at the clouds quite often, staring at the ball fly away

One would be forgiven for thinking that McCullum has an affinity for bird watching, with the frequency he seems to stare at the skies. Brendon McCullum joined the record books as one of only four players to score 200 sixes in ODI matches. Few players equalled his devastating ability to deflate a bowler’s morale by smashing him out of the park.

McCullum finished his ODI career recording exactly 200 sixes to his name. The other three players in the 200 ODI sixes club include Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle and Sanath Jayasuriya. Sanath Jayasuriya took 343 innings to accumulate 200 sixes. Chris Gayle needed 241 innings. Only Afridi surpassed McCullum’s 228 innings, by reaching the milestone in 195 innings.

McCullum is fourth among all cricketers with most sixes in ODIs. Afridi had 349, Jayasuriya hit 268 and Chris Gayle has 237 to his name. McCullum has 200.

McCullum shares the record for the most sixes in Test matches with Adam Gilchrist. Both players hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.

Of his sixes in Test cricket, McCullum said, “It’s the only record I care about, and the only one Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor aren’t going to break.”

#4 Leading New Zealand to 690

McCullum hit a brilliant 202 runs to defeat Pakistan

Just one day after the demise of Phil Hughes, Brendon McCullum played one of his best games in Test cricket against Pakistan. He hit an unbeaten 153 runs on one day, and followed it up by scoring 202 runs in total after just 188 balls. His masterful performance included 11 sixes and 21 fours.

McCullum's knocks helped New Zealand finish their first innings with a score of 690 runs. An imposing total which ensured that Pakistan failed to live up to the chase as they finished with 351 and 259 runs.

#5 Batting evolution over time

McCullum evolved his batting to become even more dangerous

Brendon McCullum will be remembered as one who loved to whack the willow. What is often ignored is that he evolved into a more dangerous version of himself as he began to take on more responsibility for his country.

Over the course of his first 100 ODI matches, McCullum scored 1409 runs. He averaged 21.67 and his strike rate was 79.06. Those are respectable figures. But what he followed that up with makes it difficult to believe that its the same person.

Over his last 160 ODI matches, McCullum whacked 4674 runs, averaging 34.62 with a strike rate of 103,17. He concluded a fantastic career by scoring 47 runs from 27 balls.

#6 302 runs against India

McCullum hit a masterful 302 to help New Zealand win a Test series against India

McCullum probably thought that scoring a century is too mainstream. And scoring a double century would just amount for two of the same. For good measure, he blasted off a triple century against India.

His phenomenal knock helped New Zealand draw the second Test and win the series. McCullum became the first New Zealand player to score a triple century in a Test match as he scored 302 runs against India. McCullum scored 302 from 559 balls. He hit 32 fours and 4 sixes in his effort.

McCullum said "My innings was what was required at that stage (94/5). I wasn't feeling nervous until I saw the size of the crowd. That's probably when I understood the magnitude of the task at hand and the immense joy it gives fans of this cricket team to see guys succeed and see records broken,”

"I watched Martin Crowe score his 299 and thought it would have been an amazing feat if he scored 300 but probably didn't quite understand how much it meant to the whole country who support this team.” he added.

New Zealand declared on 680-8, a world record total for a third innings in Test cricket.

#7 166 runs against Ireland

McCullum unleashed his ire on Ireland

McCullum scored 166 runs from 135 balls against Ireland to hand them a 290 run defeat. He hit 11 fours and 10 sixes in that span.

This was the first ODI hundred for McCullum and James Marshall as well, as they became the first opening pair to score 150 plus runs in the same innings. New Zealand finished with 402 runs for 2 wickets.

Daniel Vettori complimented McCullum and Marshall, saying "The way they set their innings out was amazing."

#8 195 runs against Sri Lanka

McCullu almost broke the record for the fastest double hundred in Test cricket

McCullum scored 195 runs from just 134 balls against Sri Lanka on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. McCullum hit 18 fours and 11 sixes. He almost hit the fastest Test double century before losing his wicket. The record had stood at 153 balls.

McCullum broke a number of records that day. He became the first New Zealander to score over 1,000 runs in a calendar year. He also broke his own record for fastest Test century by 4 balls.

In 2014, McCullum crossed the 200 run barrier three times. He scored 224 and 302 against India and later he had 202 runs against Pakistan.

#9 Grand farewell

McCullum had a grand send-off

McCullum had said “I’ve got a 60-year-old back and if I want to be able to lift my kids at 35 it’s something I’ve got to entertain.” He said that in the context of giving up wicketkeeping. Back then he was able to raise his average from 34.18 as a wicketkeeper-batsman to 42.83 as a batsman in Test cricket.

Even giving up wicket-keeping wasn’t enough to stave off the forces of time. A retirement was always looming for the captain who was not getting any younger. McCullum wanted to go off before he fell off his game.

In true form, he finished his career by scoring 47 runs against Australia to help New Zealand secure a win. There have been legends and there will be legends, but it will be very difficult to duplicate the mould of Brendon McCullum.