Cricket: McCullum feels sorry for Aussie spinners

Brendon McCullum. Photo / Christine Cornege

Big-hitting Kiwi batsman Brendon McCullum feels sorry for Australian spinners - and not just because he plans to belt them out of the park in the upcoming Big Bash League.

The Brisbane Heat import sympathises with any Australian tweaker following the footsteps of retired great Shane Warne.

And it seems he is still to be convinced by the latest product of the Aussie spin cycle, Nathan Lyon.

The former Adelaide Oval groundsman may have impressed on tour to date in Sri Lanka but McCullum admitted he did not know what to expect when the Australian team walked out in the first Test against the Kiwis in Brisbane in December.

"No, I don't. So from my point of view as an opener I have got to make sure I have to be well schooled on what their bowlers have got to offer," he said in Brisbane on Friday.

Not that McCullum had to look far to feel empathy for the country's slow bowlers.

His Brisbane Heat teammate for the BBL which kicks off in December is discarded Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz.

"I feel sorry for whoever it is who steps into that (spinner's) role (for Australia)," McCullum said.

"I feel sorry for Haury that his run came to an abrupt end.

"Shane Warne...he was the greatest spinner the game has ever seen so to follow that is always going to be tough.

"I guess they will find a way to develop another one somewhere along the line."

Not that McCullum will go easy on any bowler - fast or slow - during his BBL duties.

Indeed McCullum looked genuinely excited by the prospect of the carnage he could cause with opening partner Matthew Hayden.

"Haydos is apparently going great guns in the nets so it is pretty exciting," said McCullum who hit a record 158 not out off 73 balls for IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.

"I have always wondered what it would be like to bat with a guy like him.

"You can't buy that opportunity - it's pretty cool."

McCullum kept his fingers crossed he would also cross paths with another retired Australian cricketer in the BBL.

"Shane Warne - he's still a superstar," he said of the legendary leg-spinner who is considering playing for either Melbourne's Stars or Renegades.

"His performance in the (India's) IPL were outstanding.

"If he's fit and ready it would be great to have him involved."

While Australia may be going through some changes under new captain Michael Clarke, McCullum warned that the Kiwis could also blood youngsters Down Under this year - namely tearaway teenage quicks Adam Milne, Bevan Small and Doug Bracewell.

"Hopefully we get them on the scene sooner rather than later," he said.

- AAP